The important thing is the relative position of the distributor cap wires,
the rotor, and the camshaft. Because of the restrictions imposed by the
presence of the vacuum canister, there are probably only two or three
possible cam-to-distributor gear mesh positions that will work.
The simplest procedure is to first set the engine at 10 degrees before TDC1
using a breaker bar on the crank pulley bolt or a remote starter switch. Pop
the distributor cap off and the rotor should be pointing exactly (or nearly
so) at the #1 plug wire terminal on the cap. Get the new distributor and
cap, and mark on the side of the distributor body, the location of the #1
cap terminal. Now remove the distributor cap from the new distributor.
Remove the old distributor, then install the new distributor and rotate the
body so that the mark on the distributor body and the rotor tip align. If
you can't get them to align you need to pull the distributor up to disengage
the cam gear, move the rotor one tooth in the proper direction, and push it
back down. The presence of the oil pump drive shaft complicates this process
because it needs to mesh with the distributor shaft as well.
After you get this done, move all the plug wires from the old cap to the
new, starting with #1 and proceeding in order. If you're keeping the same
cap then it should index onto the distributor only one way, and that will
determine where you make your mark on the distributor body.
If this is clear as mud, I can try to elaborate...
Good luck,
Theo
|