Distributor Help

[MaineWater]

I just replaced all my spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor. Now my car runs worse. So I think maybe i am not putting the distributor back together correctly. I made sure I keep the exact order for wires so that is fine. I am wondering though, with the ignition coil out and looking in the cap, does the spring go face down in the hole or face up and where does that black seal go trough the spring or throug the other end? Any other possiilities? I know it is the distributor that is causing the rough idle.

[Sevillian273]

The spring goes through the rubber washer facing UP. If you have the spring facing down, the rotor tab will chew it up so you may need a new one. Also, if its an aftermarket cap & rotor kit, it may have came with two resistor buttons. One is solid brass and the other has a black tip. Use the black tipped one unless you have and ignition control box like and MSD, Jacobs, etc.
Oh and make sure you put the coil ground strap back on. Its easy to forget.

[Sevillian273]

What did you gap the plugs at and how did you get the cap on? HEI is unique in that it allows for a wider gap (0.060) unlike older cars that usually required 0.035 or so. Ive also read that Bosch platinum 2's and 4's dont work well in 4.x engines Im not sure why though.

[MaineWater]

So i put the "cylindar" piece through the hole and washer/seal on top so that it is resting on the spring sort of. Also what about the piece where the rotor is that "spins" does that have any troubleshooting. Hope you understand this is my first time with this so I am learning in the process. ANy troubleshooting tips please!

[Sevillian273]

Yeah the spring goes thru the washer, then the tip of the button goes thru the hole in the bottom of the cap and touches the springy tab on top of the rotor. The rotor has one screw on each side and only installs one way. Are you sure the cap is seated correctly on the base of the distributor? Also check the base timing if you have a light. If the distributor assembly was loose where it meets the block, you may have bumped the timing off a bit.

[MaineWater]

i do not have a light, i have a hunch of where it was as it did not move much, can i "play" with it to adjust to the proper timing. this is probably/hopefully the case. There was a screw that snapped when removing the old cap, i did break it down some, would adjusted properly = the metal piece on the rotor be position in the center of the hole on the cap so it can have all contact, not like half of it there. thanks for all your help.

[Sevillian273]

I dont recommend you play with the engine timing without a light. If you advance it to far it will knock/ping. It only takes a couple milimeters of rotation to throw it off. Btw, adjusting the timing means rotating the entire distributor, not just the cap. If the cap moves at all against the distributor base then it is not seated right. There is a little notch on the base and on the cap bottom. You can feel when the cap is on right. It should not move at all against the base.

Yes the springy tab on top of the rotor should be centered directly under the hole in the cap where the button goes.

Also, make sure the spring (that faces up thru the washer) makes contact with the bottom of the coil.

AND... make sure all of your wire ends are all the way on the spark plugs. The OEM wires have a tendency to separate inside when pulling them off to change the plugs. Especially the back four plugs since they are so hard to see. You may have a cylinder that isnt firing. Have you driven it yet?

[MaineWater]

I have not driven it yet, is the timing light difficult to use, is there a specific number or does the light come with directions on all thaT.

[Sevillian273]

Also.... clear your trouble codes and run the engine for a few minutes then check em again and post what you get. And check all the connections inside the distributor under the rotor. Make sure everything is nice and snug. I know Ive thrown alot of info at you but there are a lot of things that can cause a rough idle. Im no service tech either. I can only help you based on my own experiences. Maybe one of the gurus on here can chime in and give you some insight. If I had to take a wild guess Id say youve got a bad plug wire or bad plug connection. You should have replaced them along with the plugs so you wouldnt have had to get behind the motor twice like I did!

One more thing...
Check your firing order! Then check it again. And after that, check it AGAIN!

[Sevillian273]

Id spend the 20 bucks and get a haynes manual. Its good for simple stuff like timing/firing order and such. Or do a search on this forum. Good Luck!

[MaineWater]

Can the base on the bottom be loose? If not how do I tighten it?

[Sevillian273]

First of all, How is it attached? Did you use the clamp things that came on the cap or did you use the original bolts? You shouldnt use the clamps, they are not made for your distributor. You must use the old bolts. If you cant then get the right cap. And no the distributor cap should not be loose at all. Take pictures and post them if you can.

[MaineWater]

I actually had to break the clamps off go to the hardware store and get bolts that would fit, but two sides are gone because the olds bolt broke in half, so now I have to replace the distribtor itself so i guess i need to go to a junk yard and replace the whole unit

[Sevillian273]

Why cant you just get another cap? What happened to the distributor base?

[MaineWater]

the cap will not mount properly as most were clamp on , but mine is a screw down, there is nothing wrong with the cap, however the base, the grey part has two holes were i cant screw down. this would only be my luck