distributor orientation 4.3 merc

[brunolund]

where does the #1 terminal point on the distributor?
took mine out a few months ago, and can't remember it's orientation. i have the piston at tdc, and will time the engine after it's running,but want to know what position to put the dist. in.
thanks. pics would help if available.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: distributor orientation 4.3 merc

Any will work - since you already have it in TDC (actually, you should go ahead and put the timing mark on the appropriate mark on the tab - 6 degress before TDC, or whatever your timing is supposed to be. It will be much closer when you start it and set it with your timing light).

Anyway, just pick the terminal that your rotor is pointed at (turn the distributor to get it lined up) and make that number one - go on around clockwise from there. Your distributor doesn't care which terminal is number one.

That assumes when you say that the piston is at TDC that you mean TDC compression stroke.

 

[bomar76]

Re: distributor orientation 4.3 merc

Doesn't matter one bit....the rotor has to point to the #1 wire.
What ever terminal the rotor points to, make that #1

 

[Chris1956]

Re: distributor orientation 4.3 merc

Bruno, The distributor housing on my '88 4.3LX could only be installed in one of two positions. Also make sure the #1 piston is at TDC on the compression stroke(valves closed), or you could be 180 degrees off in timing and it won't even pop.

 

[brunolund]

Re: distributor orientation 4.3 merc

it is definitly at the end of compression. just wanted it back in it's original orientation.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: distributor orientation 4.3 merc

Here ya go:

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: distributor orientation 4.3 merc

If you have #1 piston at TDC, set rotor pointing to #1 on the cap.