Distributor -  removal, inspection and refitting

Ignition systems / Distributor -  removal, inspection and refitting

1 Disconnect the battery negative cable and position it away from the terminal.

2 Set the engine to TDC on cylinder No 1, referring to of Chapter 2A for guidance.

3 If required, unplug all five HT leads from the distributor cap - label them to aid refitting later (see illustration).

4.3 If required, unplug all five HT leads from the distributor cap

4 Unplug the screening cap earth strap from the distributor body (see illustration).

4.4 Unplug the screening cap earth strap from the distributor body

5 Unplug the Hall sensor cable from the distributor body at the connector (see illustration).

4.5 Disconnect the Hall sender cable from the distributor at the multiway connector (arrowed)

6 Remove the screws or prise off the retaining clips (as applicable), then lift off the distributor cap. Check at this point that the centre of the rotor arm electrode is aligned with the cylinder No 1 marking on the distributor body (see illustrations).

4.6a Prise off the retaining clips . . .

4.6b . . . then lift off the distributor cap

Removal
7 Carefully prise off the rotor arm, then lift off the moisture shield (see illustrations).

4.7a Carefully prise off the rotor arm . . .

4.7b . . . then lift off the moisture shield

8 Mark the relationship between the distributor body and the drive gear case flange by scribing arrows on each. Slacken and remove the clamp bolts, then withdraw the distributor body from the cylinder head.

Recover the seals, shims and washers (where applicable), noting their order of fitment to ensure correct reassembly later (see illustrations).

4.8a Slacken and remove the clamp bolts . . .

4.8b . . .then withdraw the distributor body from the cylinder head . . .

4.8c Recover the seals

Inspection
9 Recover the O-ring seal from the bottom of the distributor and inspect them. Renew them if they appear at all worn or damaged.

10 Inspect the teeth of the distributor drive gear for signs of wear or damage. Any slack in the distributor drive train will affect ignition timing. Renew the distributor if the teeth of the drive gear appear worn or chipped.

Refitting
11 Before progressing, check that the engine is still set to TDC on cylinder No 1 - refer to Chapter 2A for guidance.

12 Install the distributor and loosely fit the clamp bolt; it may be necessary to rotate the shaft slightly to allow it to engage with the camshaft drive gear. Rotate the distributor body such that the alignment marks made during removal line up.

13 The shaft is engaged at the correct angle when the rotor arm electrode is pointing at the No 1 cylinder mark on the distributor body (taking into account the offset for the basic ignition timing setting).

14 Refit the distributor cap, pressing the retaining clips firmly into place/ tightening the retaining screws (as applicable).

15 Reconnect the Hall sensor cabling to the distributor.

16 Where applicable, refit the screening cap, tightening the screws securely.

17 Working from the No 1 terminal, connect the HT leads between the spark plugs and the distributor cap. Note that the firing order is l-3-4-2.

18 Fit the HT king lead between the coil and the centre terminal on the distributor cap.

19 It will now be necessary to have the ignition timing checked and if necessary adjusted - refer to the notes in Section 5.