Distributor

Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Unfasten the distributor wire harness.
Remove the high tension wire from the coil.
If any vacuum lines are attached to the distributor, tag, then disconnect them.
Tag then remove each individual spark plug wire at the spark plug.
Remove the distributor cap from the distributor body, by loosening the retaining screws.
Paint alignment marks on the rotor, distributor body and cylinder head at the base of the distributor.
Loosen and remove the retaining bolts which secure the distributor to the cylinder head.
Carefully lift the distributor out of the cylinder head. Remove the gasket at the base of the distributor and discard.
To install:
Before installing the distributor into the cylinder head, place a new gasket on the base of the distributor.
Align the paint marks on the rotor and distributor body.
Align the paint marks on the distributor body and cylinder head, then carefully insert the distributor into the hole in the cylinder head. The remainder of installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten each component to specifications.
Start the engine and allow it to reach normal operating temperature, then check the ignition timing. Adjust the timing if needed. Refer to the procedure in Section 1.

Fig. 1: Align the matchmarks on the distributor body

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

Remove the plastic dust cover from the timing port on the flywheel housing.
Remove the No. 1 spark plug. Use a wrench on the crankshaft pulley bolt (on manual transmission cars place transmission in NEUTRAL) and slowly rotate the engine until the TDC 0 mark on the flywheel aligns with the pointer on the transaxle/transmission. 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 the piston is at TDC (top dead center).
An alternate method is to remove the bolts that hold the valve cover to expose the valves on No. 1 cylinder. 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.
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. Make sure the base gasket is located in the proper position.
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(s) finger-tight.
Connect the negative battery cable.
Start the engine and adjust the ignition timing.

Fig. 2: Remove the distributor cap — 1.8L engine shown

Fig. 3: Paint alignment marks on the distributor body, rotor and cylinder head

Fig. 4: With the hold-down bolt removed, lift out the distributor

Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Unfasten the distributor wire harness.
Remove the high tension wire from the coil.
If any vacuum lines are attached to the distributor, tag, then disconnect them.
Tag then remove each individual spark plug wire at the spark plug.
Remove the distributor cap from the distributor body by loosening the retainer screws or unfastening the two clips.
Paint alignment marks on the rotor, distributor body and cylinder head at the base of the distributor.
Loosen and remove the retaining bolt , or bolts depending on model which secure the distributor to the cylinder head.
Carefully lift the distributor out of the cylinder head. Remove the gasket at the base of the distributor and discard.
To install:
Before installing the distributor into the cylinder head, place a new gasket on the base of the distributor.
Align the paint marks on the rotor and distributor body.
Align the paint marks on the distributor body and cylinder head, then carefully insert the distributor into the hole in the cylinder head.
The remainder of installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten each component to specifications.
Start the engine and allow it to reach normal operating temperature, then check the ignition timing. Adjust the timing if needed. Refer to the procedure in Section 1.

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

Remove the plastic dust cover from the timing port on the flywheel housing.
Remove the No. 1 spark plug. Use a wrench on the crankshaft pulley bolt (on manual transmission cars place transmission in NEUTRAL) and slowly rotate the engine until the TDC 0 mark on the flywheel aligns with the pointer. 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 the piston is at TDC (top dead center).
An alternate method is to remove the bolts that hold the right (passenger's) side valve cover and remove the cover to expose the valves on No. 1 cylinder. 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.
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. Make sure the O-ring is located in the proper position.
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(s) finger-tight.
Connect the negative battery cable.
Start the engine and adjust the ignition timing.

The 2.2L, 2.5L and 3.3L engines do not use a distributor.