Thread: Distributor position 3.9 V8

Yes, it could have been moved.

You really need to find top dead centre on number 1 compression stroke. I would do that by pulling the number 1 spark plug out and turning the engine over by hand while holding a finger over the plug hole. When air is being pushed out of the hole, you are on compression. Then check the timing marks on the crank pulley to stop it at top dead centre.

Then pull the distributor cap off and see where the rotor is pointing. That is the number 1 spot on the dizzy cap. Arrange the leads to suit.

Don't forget to refit the number 1 spark plug!

Hope this helps.

If you are going by the ID numbers on each lead, then I am not surprised you are having problems.

I bought a set from an AULRO advertiser, suitably labelled with the cylinder numbers. "Very nice", sez me.

Problem was they were all over the shop lengthwise & the coil lead wouldn't even reach.

So, I ripped the numbers off & fitted the leads where they would fit lengthwise, but connecting them both ends as per the WSM diagram.

The supplier did replace the coil lead for a longer one, but even then it was not the same length of the original LR one.

Originally Posted by BigJon

You really need to find top dead centre on number 1 compression stroke. I would do that by pulling the number 1 spark plug out and turning the engine over by hand while holding a finger over the plug hole. When air is being pushed out of the hole, you are on compression. Then check the timing marks on the crank pulley to stop it at top dead centre.

How do you manage to turn the engine over by hand while holding a finger over the no. 1 spark plug hole? I need two hands to turn the engine over. Are you are gorilla or am I a girly boy?

Would it be okay to line up the TDC mark on the crank pulley and just assume that is TDC?

I have removed the distributor as from pictures I have of another engine bay and the drawing in the RAVE CD it appears my distributor is 90 deg out of position. My vac assembly was near the fan belt.


There were no numbers on the leads. I just went by length and the RAVE CD.

My vac assembly was near the fan belt.

Hhmmmm. that's where mine normally is, with the small pipe coming out vertically quite close to the belt drive.

Originally Posted by 4bee

Hhmmmm. that's where mine normally is, with the small pipe coming out vertically quite close to the belt drive.

Well I have put the distributor back in and as far as I can tell that is the only way it can go. Otherwise either the vac assembly or the ignition module get in the way.

I have it back together and it didn't start so in the process of trying to find TDC again.

This may help, but then again...................

Thanks Ladas but that is what I've been using. As far as I can tell I have done it just as they say to do it.

I have stopped for the night however I was thinking that if I had done everything correctly but the timing was perhaps 1 deg ATDC then it wouldn't start would it? I did try the dizzy in slightly different spots though and it would never start.

Also how do you statically time an engine? It says you should statically time it to 2 deg BTDC (for Oz). I've always just got it close enough and then used a timing light.

I'm going out to dinner now................ in a .................... Toy ...............Toy .............. Toyota

Originally Posted by Utemad

How do you manage to turn the engine over by hand while holding a finger over the no. 1 spark plug hole? I need two hands to turn the engine over. Are you are gorilla or am I a girly boy?

Would it be okay to line up the TDC mark on the crank pulley and just assume that is TDC?

I have removed the distributor as from pictures I have of another engine bay and the drawing in the RAVE CD it appears my distributor is 90 deg out of position. My vac assembly was near the fan belt.


There were no numbers on the leads. I just went by length and the RAVE CD.

You can do it this way....but you may find you are out by 180 degrees on the dizzy.

If this is the case simply turn the crankshaft around again to the TDC mark and you should be at no 1 TDC.

Clear as mud??