jerpoh

I keep hearing that changing your stock distributor cap and rotor is extremely important but i can't find instructions anywhere, even simple ones! They don't even have it listed in the Chilton Manual. You gotta learn somehow! Can anyone give me some easy directions? it would be greatlyyyy appreciated. Thanks a lot!!!

SPIKE

iTrader: (1)

first and most important, mark spark plug wires so you get them back in the same order you removed them.

loosen the screws around the base of the distributor cap, then remove it.

pull rotor straight up and off.

install new rotor and distributor cap.

consider replacing spark plug wires and new plugs.

set timing.

IHI

iTrader: (1)

Trying to go easy, but chaning the cap and rotor would be easily done by just doing it as opposed to going through the long story version.

Just a matter of pulling the plug wires off the dizzy (label wthem with tape so you know where they go)

Remove wire connections on driver side of dizzy cap (this is the leg that sticks out further from the cap) should be 1 big clip with three wires and 2 seperate wires (1 that gets juice from battery and 1 that sends a signal to tachometer) Once the wiring is disconnected there are 4 spring loaded screws around base of dizzy cap-you need to push down and turn to get the J hooks un seated from dizzy base. Once all 4 have been loosened pull the cap off.

Now you'll see inside of dizzy and the big plastic "rotor" that will be held down with 2 screws (screws will either be a phillips or hex head) remove those 2 screws and rotor will pop off, sometimes they can be snug, but it will come off. Rotor is only able to be reinstalled one way so you cant screw it up, so install new rotor.

Back to dizzy cap, get your old one and set it next to the new one. The new one will come with new spring loaded carbon tip and rubber/neoprene bushing. Install the spring loaded tip into the hole in the top of the dizzy cap with spring side up, then install the rubber/neoprene washer/bushing over that.

Remove the screws that hold the coil in the old dizzy cap (typically 2 hex heads) and remove plastic coil cover to expose coil itself and wiring connections. Note where all the wiring connections goes (also idiot proof) and undo the 4 hex head bolts holding coil into dizzy cap. Push up the wiring connections from the bottom of the cap to free them and then using a small screw driver pry the coil out of the old cap. Reverse instruction for reinstalling into new cap.

Set new cap onto dizzy base on engine and turn the 4 J hooks down and turn to secure it, then rehook up your plug wires to the correct post (use your chiltons) and your done.

jerpoh

WOW, YOU ARE THE MAN!! thanks a lot, i really appreciate it! I'm usually down for just taking things apart and just putting it back the way it was, but not with the engine. Do i really need to time the engine afterwards like spike said?

Stekman

If you loosen the distributor hold down clamp to rotate the dizzy to get to the various "L" hooks when undoing the rotor, then yes, you have to re-time.

If you can get the cap off without undoing the hold down bolt, then no.