electrical and ignition Firing order indicator on distributor

[flagoworld]

Hi,

 

In diagnosing my terrible idle, I've noticed what appear to be 2 different indicators on the distributor for cyl1... Which one is correct? PO has it setup to use the "1" number, but I see other posts indicating that the notch is correct. Incorrect firing order could be why my car misfires pretty bad...

 

 

[TobyB]

You're gonna love this answer.

 

It doesn't matter at all. 

 

As long as you clock the distributor so that #1 fires about 20 degrees

before #1 cylinder hits TDC compression, and the turret for #1 spark plug wire

is lined up with the tip of the rotor at that time, everything will work fine

 

Next, #3

 

Next, #4

 

then, #2.

 

And you're all good.  The order's cast into the cover, of course, like it should be on all civilized tractor engines.

 

Now, I've always heard that you're supposed to use the notch, but I seldom do...

 

BTW, that rev- limiting rotor might be a cause of some trouble, if it's old and tired....

 

t

Edited October 10, 2015 by TobyB

[Stevenc22]

^yup. Distributor marks don't really matter. Just make sure you have these plug wires going to the right cylinders.

[Buckeye]

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/108155-top-dead-center/

[flagoworld]

So, Here's where I'm at..

 

I cannot get the TDC indicator on my timing chain to be directly under the oil bar. I can get it to be before and after... I am just cranking the car for a 1/2 second and watching it as it rests at each cyl.

 

If this is indeed TDC, when popping the dizzy cap I see one metal piece of the rotor aligned with the notch, as you can see in the photo. The "1" in previous photos is up at the pther side dizzy behind the rotor.

 

 

[flagoworld]

Forget I said anything. I will post again tomorrow when I figure out the real TDC. Done for the night.

[xferboy]

Just to chime in hoping something helps:

 

I am just cranking the car for a 1/2 second and watching it as it rests at each cyl.

 

better trick:  put it in gear (2 or 3) and roll the car forwards.  If you can't push the car (or are close), roll it using the tire.  Don't go backwards. 6 feet of roll will turn the motor over a surprising amount (for me the first time anyway)

 

You're gonna love this answer. It doesn't matter at all.

Just do it the same all the time (for sanity).  For some silly reason, I put #1 at 6:00

[jgerock]

Rev limiting rotor is sometimes the source of confusion! Stick a regular one on there.

[ray_]

 

 

... might be a cause of some trouble, if it's old and tired....

 

t

 

 

Hmm.

 

That explains you!

 

[flagoworld]

Cap, rotor, condenser are all brand new and this problem was present before changing them.

Spark plug wires and coil resistances are all nominal.

Plugs are new.

Let me figure out if my timing isnt completely off first...

Edited October 11, 2015 by flagoworld

[arminyack]

Hmm.

 

That explains you!

 

 

Kettle, the pot is black!

 

Edited October 11, 2015 by arminyack

[flagoworld]

AAAHAAAH!

 

Ao here's at TDC...

[flagoworld]

AAAHAAAH!

 

So here's at TDC... As you can see the distributor is setup to not use the notch... slightly annoying but now i know. Notice that the rotor falls farther clockwise than the point. This means that my timing  is negative° does it not?

 

 

[ray_]

Which plugs again? I had a dead Indian Bosch plug recently.

 

I don't recall if you have specifically described the idle behavior.

 

Valves adjusted?

 

I'd still suspect plug cables or something else in the ignition. Not really timing tho. That's usually manifested more by running issues IME.

 

Cheers,

[flagoworld]

Let's see, I have Bosch ones I think. I don't have the boxes anymore. But i should note that the same behavior was occurring before replacing the plugs.

 

May very well be the wires though. I will buy some new ones right now, just in case! These guys are clearly super old... May be original!?

 

 

 

Oh yeah, valves adjusted. It really seems as though one of the cyls just misfires every second or so. A solid jerk.

Edited October 11, 2015 by flagoworld