Distributor

So, I've been playing around with my distributor a bit today. Basically, the rig is pretty sluggish even though it's advanced 12*, and looking at distributor stuff online, I noticed that my wires are not hooked up the same as they are recommended on some online websites, such as this:

http://users.arczip.com/themotorpool/mopool/html/id93.htm

Basically, from the stuff I'm finding, the post directly to the right of where the wires go into the top of the distributor cap is an odd post, and most people put the wire for cylinder #1 there, then 2, 3, etc. counter clockwise around the distributor cap. Mine are in the same pattern, but wire 6 goes to the post where everything online shows wire 1 should go, so basically I'm off 1/6th of a rotation. My rig ran and idled smooth, but not much oomf. Now after playing around with the wires on the posts today and making them how the website shows, it wouldn't fire, and now changing them back to how they were, it won't fire up either. So, what the heck happened? And was it actually wrong to begin with? Also, the website above, in the pics toward the bottom, the vacuum advance is pointing a bit toward the front drivers corner of the rig, and my vacuum advance points straight forward. Any ideas what's going on? Am I worried about nothing, and this isn't even whats causing my power problem? Also, why won't the rig start anymore, even though I put it back to the way it was this morning? Now I'm freakin', as I was gonna go out 'wheelin' tomorrow with a new club, and the rig won't start. Thanks for any help guys!!

 

So, after finding TDC, what do I do next with the distributor? Do I need to pull it out and re-align the shaft and slide it back in, or just leave it or what? If someone could point me to a good website to read, or give me a quick tutorial, I would really appreciate it, so I can get this thing running again for tomorrow morning! Thanks a lot!

 

So, I found TDC, and hooked the wires up to the distributor cap according to where the rotor is pointing, assuming the one it is pointing at should be cylinder #1. I turn the engine over for a bit and it does not fire. So, I think maybe it is out 180*, so I switch the wires around so when the rotor is pointing the opposite way, that is assumed to be #1 cylinder. I hook the wires up, turn it over for a while, and nothing happens. This second setup is how it started this morning before I started messing with it, and it fired up and idled smoothly. Now it won't even start. Also, one time today, I rotated the cap 90* and put it on and tried to start it and it didn't start, then noticed I had accidentally rotated it 90* counter clockwise, so I changed it back. Would this have anything to do with anything? Do I need to take the distributor apart more and see if there is something specifically wrong? Could something have shorted out or broke during this stuff today? Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

 

So, used the tester light, I do have 12v going to the distributor when the key is on, so that's good. I replaced the ignition module, rig still doesn't start. I replaced the ignition coil in the top of the cap, rig still doesn't start. Is there something else that I need to check in the distributor? Also, even though the distributor is the only thing I was messing around with the other day, is there something else that may have went haywire while I was working on it that I'm overlooking that is causing the rig to not fire up? Are there further diagnostics I can do to check if my distributor should be okay as/is or if it still may need another part? Please help, getting frustrated.

Thanks.

 

Check the 2 wires running from the module to the, I think it's called the pole piece, and make sure they are not broken. It's a coil which surrounds the shaft on the distributor underneath the counter weights.

 

Do you have spark?

 

When Patrick wrote:

That's the pickup coil. You can check the negative side of the ignition coil (tach) for pulse while cranking to see if the pickup coil is working.

I pulled the cover on my cap so I could easily put the test light on the blade going to the tach wire. When the key is on, the light is on, and when the key is on, the other blade going to the BAT turns the test light on also. When I turn the engine over, and keep the test light on either blade, the light stays on the whole time, and does not pulse on and off when I'm turning the engine over as you asked. Does this mean there is a problem with the pickup coil, or that it is okay? I have no idea why this darn thing won't fire!

Also, Daryl, I do not have spark when I pull a spark plug, keep the wire connected, and ground the spark plug. I get no spark at all. I have no idea what the deal is. I've scratched all the hair off my head, haha.

 

As Patrick said. You should be getting a pulse when you crank the engine. There is something wrong with the pick-up coil or reluctor or bad dist ground.

 

To replace the pickup coil, I have to pull the distributor out of the engine to get the pickup coil off, is that correct?

 

Ah, bummer, that is gonna be a lot more work than replacing the module and the other coil. What a bummer! Guess I'll try to crack into it this afternoon...

 

Pulled the distributor today and put the new pickup coil on, but it fit very tight, and was checking the vacuum advance, and when I rotate the pickup coil, it returns about 1/3 of the way on its own, then I have to push it back, so I'm assuming the pickup coil is too tight on the shaft. I'm trying to take it off now to grease it or something, but can't get it back off now either, lol. When/if I get it off, what should I use to grease the inside of the pickup coil where it fits over the shaft? When I rotate the pickup coil for the vacuum advance action, it should spring back all the way on its own, right?

 

Okay, so I have installed a new ignition module, a new coil, and a new pickup coil in the distributor. The vehicle still does not fire, and still does not get spark. Everything I check with my test light shows I have power going to the distributor, and I check the grounds with the light also, and they check out, so I have no idea what the issue could/can be. Anyone have any ideas? Please help, I'm so frustrated I don't even want to work on it any more, but its also all I can think about. Thanks guys.