- The distributor cap is held on by two clips. Release them with a screwdriver
and lift the cap straight up and off, with the wires attached. Inspect the
cap for cracking, carbon tracks or a worn center contact. Replace it (if necessary)
by transferring the wires one at a time from the old cap to the new one.
- To remove the rotor, pull it straight. Replace it if its contacts are worn,
burned or pitted. DO NOT file the contacts.
- Check the reluctor air gap. Using a non-magnetic feeler gauge, rotate the
engine until a reluctor spoke is aligned with the pick-up coil (either bump
the engine around with the starter or turn it with a wrench on the crankshaft
pulley bolt).
- Adjustment, if necessary, is made by loosening the pick-up coil mounting
screws (1600 and 1800–2WD) or the stator screw (1600 and 1800–4WD;
1200) and shifting its position, on the "breaker plate'', either closer or
farther from the reluctor. Tighten the screws and recheck the gap. The air
gap specifications are: 0.008–0.016 in. (0.20–0.40mm) on 1600
and 1800 w/2WD; carbureted, 0.012–0.020 in. (0.30–0.50mm) on 1600
and 1800 w/4WD; EFI models or 0.012–0.016 in. (0.30–0.40mm) on
1200 models.
- Inspect the ignition wires for cracks or brittleness. Replace them one at
a time to prevent cross-wiring, carefully press the replacement wires into
place. The cores of wires used with electronic ignition are more susceptible
to breakage than those of standard wires, so treat them gently.