New Distributor Help

[MaineWater]

I finally got my new distributor, it was from a 4.5 to go into a 4.5 to so i know it works. Well I got the engine to TDC pulled the old one, marked everything, put the new one in with everything, I got itto start, but ran like hell, now it will not start. It will crank, it might even fire up and run like shit for 5 seconds and then stop. I might have messed up my markings, any tips on what i should do? The distributor is flush and secure. Should I crank the engine bolt counter clockwise? My manual says to turn the engine in normal rotation? I am sure my firing order is correct.

[Sevillian273]

You may be at TDC on the exhaust stroke. It needs to be at TDC on the compression stroke. Pull the #1 plug and blow into the cylynder with a peice of hose. If it blows freely you are on the exhaust stroke.

[SilverCoupe]

Also check so see what year your 4.5L dist.'s are from. I know when I replaced my 90 dist it had different part # than my 89 4.5L. Reason is 89 is TBI motor and the 90 is the only year w/ the 4.5L w/ mulitport F.I. I think the electronics inside dist. are bit different. Cam sensors, or the 89 does not have one. Could be your problem if the #1 Compression stroke does not fix it.

[carnut]

I think as you lowered in the distributor, it jumped over a drive tooth on the cam. You need to bring the timing marks back into alignment and lift off the cap to see if the rotor points to no. 1 on the cap. Crank the engine and you will see if it rotates clockwise from the crank pulley or counter clockwise.

[MaineWater]

I messed around some more with it, my ignition coil was rusted on the bottom, but this has not solved the problem. I replaced it with my old one which was fine. My question is when that line on the crank pulley lines up with the small "o' on the timing marker and is at TDC on the compression stroke should I then have my rotor pointing in between 1 and 8 like my manual says or would it be better to have it directly in line with number 1 on the cap? Also I do not have the exact location of where my distributor base was originally. So, my second question, is it ok to just to go by a model on where it is on my other 90 4.5 which is still factory set , as long as my rotor is in line with the number one or between 1 and 8

[NickySantoro]

Point the rotor as close to #1 as you can. Align the dist like the picture as a starting point. If it doesn't start, it is likely 180 degrees out, so lift it up and turn the rotor 180 degrees and try again. After it starts, finish the timing sequence.

[MaineWater]

I watched a video that told me it does not matter where you start on #1 does the 4.5 rotor rotate counter clockwise? My initial timing is 10 degrees (what engine says) is that when they are lined up the line and "O'. Thanks for everyones help.