Distributor Help - Page 2

Sevillian273 · #16 (**permalink**) 10-13-08, 10:00 PM

I understand what you mean about the cap. Mine was a clamp on too but I converted it. So I take it youve got two broken bolts stuck in the distributor base, right? If they are opposite of eachother you may be ok with out them. If not, and you cant get them out, you will definately need to buy and learn how to use a timing light so you can time the engine after putting in the new distributor. I strongly recommend you buy a Haynes manual.

Sevillian273 · #17 (**permalink**) 10-13-08, 10:09 PM

Heres a pic of how I made mine work. Note the hacksaw marks above the bolt. Just do whatever it takes to hold that cap down firmly on the base. Be creative. Even if you have to hire a midget to sit under the hood and hold it down while you drive! Trust me you really dont wanna have to take the whole distributer out if you dont have much experience.

cadillac_al · #18 (**permalink**) 10-13-08, 11:04 PM

When I broke a screw in my distributer I drilled a 1/8 hole through it and used a sheet metal screw to hold it down. That's definitely more secure than any spring loaded clamp anyway. No need to buy another distributer for that.

Sevillian273 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-13-08, 11:38 PM

Absolutely. The first time I pulled a distributor I was a teenager and I had smoked some pot before I started and I forgot to mark the rotor position on the base and I ended up having to start from TDC.

Problem was, I didnt know it had to be on the exhaust stroke rather than the intake stroke! I found out real quick that I'd screwed up. All that just to change an ignition module! It was on my 89 merc with TFI.

MaineWater · #20 (**permalink**) 10-17-08, 03:39 PM

Well, I finally got it, but with the old parts just so i could use the car, i need to try that hack saw idea on my new cap. The car runs better with the new plugs, however it still has that shake wile in reverse and in drive while idling. THe exhaust also sounds strange. At this point i think it is some motor mount, do you think i should give a shot at tightening them?

Sevillian273 · #21 (**permalink**) 10-17-08, 05:58 PM

I dont know if they can be tightened or not. I havent had to do it on my Seville yet. Ive only changed motor mounts once and it was a a RWD Merc. I would start a new thread to focus on the shaking issue and leave this one for your distributor problems.

FrenchyJay · #22 (**permalink**) 10-23-08, 04:13 PM

I actually did this a couple days ago. Car was running rough so I replaced the rotor, cap, wires and plugs and then the car ran completely like crap. It was a simple fix on my part because I disconnected some vacuum hoses and forget to reconnect them. It wouldn't hurt to look.

cadchris · #23 (**permalink**) 10-27-08, 11:34 PM

Hi,

Just looking at your problem. Please post what you have ended up with on your distributor. Did you get another one from the yard? Here's what I'm getting at: Either go back to the old cap and rotor if you still have it, if you boutght a used distributor from the junk yard, try that cap and rotor. I remember buying a new Cap and rotor from Autozone or Advance Auto and they were bad. One Caps terminals weren't in tightly ect. I've also have gotten bad plug wires. Put all the old parts on if you have them, or yank them off and take them back and get replacements. All of that stuff is under warranty so there shouldn't be a problem. Just do a lot of bitch'in. Let us know exactly where you are and if you bought the new distributor and list all parts that you currently have. I think you stated that you either replaced the plugs at the same time or you didn't. I've even had bad plugs that were new.

Regards,

chris