Distributor position?? HELP

No you can do it. How do you learn photos and easy steps or a tech manual learner

 

Its really easy. This is the diagram Mike was referring to, which should be pretty self explanatory, but clearly shows the key things.

The slot in the top of the distributor drive shaft (inside the hole in the engine case) should be parallel with the front of the engine case at No1 TDC. At this position the rotor should be pointing at No.1 cylinder.

 

It's all very well getting into drive dogs and all guys but in his first post he said...

….attached photos show the position of the rotor where I believe it was at cylinder 1 TDC ...

In other words he's not sure the engine is rotated to No.1 firing position. To me it looks like no.3?

 

Yup. Def looks like No.3

 

@kevin smith Try turning the pulley clockwise another full turn so that the notch is at the top again.

 

Then turn the distributor body 90 degs anti-clockwise and put the HT leads on.

 

Here's my "aide memoire" kept in the engine compartment of my AS 1600 engine. Note the "slot" in the distributor drive shaft is towards the rear of the vehicle, parallel to the bumper.

Whatever distributor you have, when the engine is turned to place the driveshaft in the above position and the timing mark where it should be, the rotor should point to plug number one

 

this looks like its being overly complicated by advice

turn the big pulley 1 revolution, where is the rotor arm pointing ?

then rotate the distributor body until the rotor arm points at the mark on the distributor

the distributor drive will never move by itself it would need to have been removed and put in incorrectly

 

If I do the suggested how can I confirm that it is definitely at cylinder 1 by looking at the valves?

 

No.1 valves will both be closed i.e. the rockers will be slightly loose.

 

thanks zedders I’m heading to workshop now got other bits and pieces to do with painting then I’ll get a look at this
Appreciate your advice

 

Good man. If you have to turn the engine one revolution to get the valves on no.1 both closed (loose rockers) you're nearly there.

Next turn the distributor body 90degs anti-clockwise so that the vac can on the distributor is approx facing the rear of the van.

At that point you can put no.1 lead on the cap where the rotor arm is pointing, then 2,3,4 anticlockwise around the distributor cap. You'll notice 1 & 2 leads will be on the same side of the cap (the right) as 1 & 2 cylinders. Tidy.

You're done. It might even start but you'll need to set the timing before you drive it/set the carb up (if it needs it).

 

I’ve turned one rotation then moved the distributor 90 degrees anti clockwise but don’t think it’s on one
Got the rocker covers off ang the valves are tight on 1 but are tight on 3 as well??
Any help appreciated

 

If I can find 1 how do I go about setting the tappits since I have the covers off any way or am I running before I can walk since I can’t even find 1 lol

 

You can confirm if you're at tdc on cylinder 1 by removing the spark plug and poking a straw into the hole so that it rests on the top of the cylinder. As you rotate the crank you should see the straw rise, stop and then begin to fall. When it stops rising that's it at tdc (that should coincide with the mark on your bottom pulley).

 

Or just by lining up the mark, the question is firing or non firing stroke.

 

Yes set the tappets and while you're doing it you'll find where you are with the distributor.
When no.1 are both loose, so is the valve next to them on 2. The final one should be pressed in.