What happens when you take the distributor out of the engine?

What happens when you take the distributor out of the engine?

Do not crank the engine or move the car in gear while the distributor is out of the engine . If the engine is turned, the timing will have to be reset. Before removing the distributor cap, tag the lead to the cylinder used for timing and mark its position on the distributor body. Make sure that the battery is disconnected.

Can a spark plug be removed from a distributor?

Carefully, very carefully. Of course, if the engine has been running perfectly before removal of the distributor, just crank the engine until the rotor lines up with the position on the distributor cap where #1 spark plug wire is located.

What does no start no crank no click mean?

If you have a late model GM vehicle and turn the key only to hear nothing, you’ll most likely think you have a dead battery—and you may. But a no start, no crank, no click condition can be far more involved than that. In the old days, power flowed through the ignition switch and down to the starter solenoid. Not anymore.

How to avoid mistakes when replacing a distributor?

The following is presented to show you how to avoid mistakes and gain a little confidence in the process, whether you are replacing the distributor in an old engine or reassembling a new one. Remember at all times that both valves on the “master” cylinder (usually #1 cylinder) must be closed, meaning the piston is at Top Dead Center.

Carefully, very carefully. Of course, if the engine has been running perfectly before removal of the distributor, just crank the engine until the rotor lines up with the position on the distributor cap where #1 spark plug wire is located.

The following is presented to show you how to avoid mistakes and gain a little confidence in the process, whether you are replacing the distributor in an old engine or reassembling a new one. Remember at all times that both valves on the “master” cylinder (usually #1 cylinder) must be closed, meaning the piston is at Top Dead Center.

Where is the distributor on an engine block?

A person might go to great lengths to mark the position of the distributor on the engine block and then completely overlook the position of the rotor shaft, or vice-versa.

When to remove the distributor on a rotor?

If yes, it should start. If no, see below. The distributor needs to be removed if the rotor doesn’t point to #1 terminal. Rotate the rotor until it does. The helical gear on the distributor means the rotor has to start at a different point so it will end in the right spot.