Sparking noise from distributor

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UGA2018

UGA2018

Joined
Mar 13, 2017
Threads
50
Messages
516
Location
Atlanta
Today @BGarcia88FJ62 and I worked on a valve adjustment on my truck. We had a heck of,the time finding TDC on the fly wheel. So we pulled the cap of the distributor and looked for the piston in the first cylinder to get to the top.

Once we found TDC doing that we did the valve adjustment. We I cranked it up afterwards we got a strange noise coming from the distributor. It sounds almost like is sparking in there in a strange way. Like a short or something.

Any thoughts on what the heck is up with that? Thanks!
 
Here's what it sounds like. We still have some valve work to do but I'm stumped by that weird sound coming from the distributor. No signs of sparks

The cap, wires and plugs are all new. From Autozone and not OEM.
 
I can't hear it very well at all. Not sure how much help others will be other than folks understanding distributors and pointing that direction.
I am not sure how it was you were trying to find tdc on the flywheel that was so tough... I guess my directions didn't help you?
I'm heading out for a kid homeschool thing but I'll try to rummage through my pics and see if I can find anything helpful for you.
 
^Problem was there was no BB or TDC Line on Mikes Flywheel. So we pulled the Dizzy Cap got No.1 piston to the
top of it's stroke and made sure that the rotor was pointing toward #4 spark plug per the FSM. That's how we determined TDC
Adjusted the First set. Rotated 360 Deg. Attempted to adjusted the second set but ran into a problem with the rockers being in compression
and not adjustable. So now I'm thinking we may have started the adjustment 360 Deg. out.....puzzling.

And the sound coming from the dizzy is a whirling/Arcing type noise which is very odd.
 
I think the flywheel was so dirty we can't see it. Im going to take the cover off and clean it. I expect that will fix it.

The noise is tough to hear but it sounds like an arcing/sparking noise. Almost like rustling paper. You can hear it towards the end of the video.
 
Yeah sorry but I don't believe you have no markings... This is not the best pix but facing the nose of the truck are the markings. I had already added a slight line for TDC and a spot for the BB. Once you had it at what you believed to be TDC could you see any line in the sight window near the edge of the firewall (pix 2)? Sorry to most likely come off condescending but getting it in the right position is imperative to the adjustment. I'll be honest, I have done three adjustments now on my truck and ONLY the last one was I for sure I was doing it 100% correct.

IMG_2289.webp


IMG_3441.webp
 
The arrow is pointing the direction the sight window cover slides upward and out of the way.

IMG_5595.webp
 
Sorry, I hope that helps and I don't just sound like a plain bitch. I am off tomorrow feel free to call or text. Facetime is hugely helpful with this stuff too. And btw, this stuff is hard. I get it. Its really intimidating and when you have not ever done it before how frustrating it feels when folks try to explain on the phone or in texts and you just wanna say "find the what where the blah blah is..." Lol, yeah sure man, I'll find that no problem. Facetime fixes that very quickly if you have that access.
 
Last edited:
NeverGiveUpYota said:
Sorry, I hope that helps and I don't just sound like a plain bitch. I am off tomorrow feel free to call or text. Facetime is hugely helpful with this stuff too. And btw, this stuff is hard. I get it. Its really intimidating and when you have not ever done it before how frustrating it feels when folks try to explain on the phone or in texts and you just wanna say "find the what where the blah blah is..." Lol, yeah sure man, I'll find that no problem. Facetime fixes that very quickly if you have that access.
Click to expand...

No worries at all I've done several valve jobs on my trucks and non of them have been easy. I was also thinking that it may be an aftermarket
flywheel it had some odd cut outs and such on it not a solid surface like the OEM flywheel but getting the inspection cover off is definately the next course of action. Bummer is I won't be able to get back down to his truck till the week of the 19th and this is gonna be on my mind until we get it sorted out.
:beer: and keep any and all ideas coming.
 
Pull the plugs. Have the flywheel cover off. Get right sized short socket and attach it to the alternator nut (mines a Chevy so different size). Be aware of the positive terminal or disconnect the negative (I don't and I've seen sparks a few times by contacting the wrench handle inadvertently, no big deal as long as your not touching it).
Turn wrench toward drivers side and you can see right thru that sight window. Also have someone under there as well and get the tdc and bb marked w/ whiteout.
Then while plugs are out add your compression gauge in number 1 (closest to fan). As you turn the wrench you will hear air streaming from the gauge, it will get louder and harder to turn on at the top of the compression stroke. Do the same for the next set in the number 6 plug hole.
That's the easiest way so far I have discovered.

IMG_5625.webp
 
Thanks for the help here! Any others with thoughts on this crazy noise from the distributor? That's top of mind for me right now.
 
I've FaceTime'd with Felicity before, she's really not as bitchy as she seems in this thread. :rofl:

So about the popping, I can't remember seeing a pic of your setup there. However, if you're distributor is properly vented, you'll get vapor in there and we've actually seen these distributor caps explode off into pieces. Make sure your vacuum lines are properly routed and you VCV is operating as it should. Almost willing to bet your VCV is fried.

About the flywheel... what aftermarket flywheel could the be? I haven't heard of another one being available...

Having said all that, I know the RMS is bad and needs to be replaced. So you're going to have to drop the tansfercase, transmission and replace the clutch while you're there, you'll be able to get a good look at the flywheel then. Maybe even borrow an idea from felicity and mark it with some whiteout.

Mike, you have some time before @BGarcia88FJ62 gets back... drop the gears and replace the rear seal, and clean the flywheel. And then your buddy can help you stab it when he returns.
 
I think that you may be right about that flywheel being so dirty. I didn't try to clean it before we do the adjustment so that could be why we couldn't find the mark.

And by the way.... I appreciate all of the advice/help from anyone on this forum in any way that it comes. :-)

In the process of checking out my VCV to see if I plugged the lines into it wrong I think I just broke the cap/top off!! Haha! Now I am starting to wonder if I just need to desmog the thing and forget about fixing this. Seems like it would make life easier!

But I still can't tell if that is where the noise is coming from for sure or not. It is in that area and does sound similar to a vacuum leak but not exactly the same.
 
It's okay... 99% sure that VCV was toast anyway. You'll have to replace it. There's a new one in eBay right now, but it ain't cheap. Even desmogged, you'll need that VCV to properly vent your dizzy. Bite the bullet.
 
VCV is still an important aspect of the venting system. Try not to ditch them during a desmog. Wish OS was here. He could explain it like back of his hand.
 
I got a replacement VCV for an Lexus 80's series (whatever it's called) for $66 from my dealer but they go typically for $99.
 
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