Distributor

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the air cleaner assembly.
2. Tag and disconnect the hoses.
3. On models equipped with conventional ignition system, disconnect the primary wire at the coil.
4. On models equipped with breakerless ignition, disconnect the distributor wiring connector from the vehicle wiring harness.
5. Note the positions of the vacuum line(s) on the distributor diaphragm, tag and disconnect the lines at the diaphragm. Unsnap the two distributor cap retaining clamps and remove the cap. Position the cap and ignition wires to one side.

   Fig. 1: Remove the distributor cap

   Fig. 2: Use chalk or paint to carefully mark the position of the distributor

   NOTE: If it is necessary to remove the ignition wires from the cap to get enough room to remove the distributor, make sure to label each wire and the cap for easy and accurate reinstallation.

6. Use chalk or paint to carefully mark the position of the distributor rotor in relationship to the distributor housing and mark the position of the distributor housing in relationship to the engine block. When this is done, you should have a line on the distributor housing directly in line with the tip of the rotor and another line on the engine block directly in line with the mark on the distributor housing. This is very important because the distributor must be reinstalled in the exact same position from which it was removed, if correct ignition timing is to be maintained.

   Fig. 3: Unfasten the distributor hold-down bolt and remove the distributor

7. Remove the distributor hold-down bolt. On 1970–73 models with an octane selector, note the position of the selector and remove the bolt. Don't lose the pointer.
8. Remove the distributor from the engine taking care not to damage or lose the O-ring.

   To install:

   NOTE: Do not disturb the engine while the distributor is removed. If you crank or rotate the engine while the distributor is removed you will have to re-time the engine. See Engine Disturbed.

Engine Not Disturbed

1. If the engine was not disturbed while the distributor was removed, position the distributor in the block (make sure the O-ring is in place). Have the rotor aligned with the mark previously scribed on the distributor body and the marks on the distributor body and engine in alignment.
2. Install the octane selector, if so equipped, and tighten the hold-down bolt finger-tight.
3. Install the distributor rotor, cap and wires, if removed. Engage the primary wire to the coil or reconnect the wiring harness.
4. Connect the negative battery cable.
5. Plug the vacuum line(s) to the distributor and recheck the timing using a timing light.
6. Set the ignition timing to the proper specifications. See Section 2 for the proper procedure.
7. Fasten the hold-down bolt and connect the vacuum lines(s) and install the air cleaner.

Engine Disturbed

If the engine has been cranked, disassembled, or the timing otherwise lost, proceed as follows:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the air cleaner. Tag and remove the hoses.
2. Remove the plastic dust cover from the timing port on the flywheel housing.
3. Remove the No. 1 spark plug. (No. 1 spark plug is the front plug on the right side of the engine). Use a wrench on the crankshaft pulley bolt (on manual transaxle cars place transaxle in neutral) and slowly rotate the engine until the TDC 0 mark on the flywheel aligns with the pointer.
4. While turning the engine place your finger over the No. 1 spark plug hole, when you feel air escaping past your finger the piston is on the compression stroke and when the marks align with the flywheel pointer, the piston is at Top Dead Center (TDC).
5. The following method can be used to get No. 1 piston on TDC.
   1. Remove the two bolts that hold the right (passenger's) side valve cover and remove the cover to expose the valves on No. 1 cylinder.
   2. Rotate the engine so that the valves in No. 1 cylinder are closed and the TDC 0 mark on the flywheel lines up with the pointer.
6. Align the small depression on the distributor drive pinion with the mark on the distributor body. This will align the rotor with the No. 1 spark plug terminal on the distributor cap. (See illustration for correct pinion alignment). On models with the octane selector, set the pointer midway between the A and R. Make sure the O-ring is located in the proper position.

   Fig. 4: Align the matchmarks on the drive pinion and housing

7. Align the matchmarks you have made on the distributor body with those on the engine block and install the distributor in the engine. Make sure the drive is engaged. Install the hold-down bolt finger-tight.
8. Connect the negative battery cable.
9. Plug the vacuum line(s) to the distributor and recheck the timing using a timing light.
10. Set the ignition timing to the proper specifications. See Section 2 for the proper procedure.
11. Fasten the hold-down bolt and connect the vacuum lines(s) and install the air cleaner.