Ok. The guy I got my fiero from said the distrubutor had issues. So I checked for spark and there was, try to turn the engine over and it's popping like crazy trying to ignite. Has fuel, compression, getting air and spark but not at the right time. The manual I have says to install the distrubutor with the rotor point between the number one and number 3 distributor terminals, I'm assuming that's the number 2 terminal then? Well that's what I set and I still can't get it to start and still hear some popping. Sometimes it feels like it wants to but won't. It's the 2.5 liter 4 cylinder. 1986 notchback.
The manual I have says to install the distrubutor with the rotor point between the number one and number 3 distributor terminals, I'm assuming that's the number 2 terminal then?
And where'd you have the crank turned?
You need to have the rotor pointing to the #1 terminal when cylinder #1 is at the top of its compression stroke.
How about you lay it out in steps please? I thought what I said was the same thing as what you said...
You need to confirm that you are on the compression stroke and not the exhaust stroke. Remove all the plugs and block #1 hole with your thumb...rotate the crankshaft until air is pushing out, and then make sure the piston is at its highest point.
Don't put 100% faith in the timing marks on the harmonic balancer. There is a small to moderate chance that it has slipped over the years. You want to independantly confirm that the #1 piston is at TDC on the compression stroke, then make sure the harmonic balancer is on its mark before declaring its markings accurate.
Rotate the engine just a little backwards till its at ~8 degrees
Then, remove the distributor hold down clamp and the distributor can be pulled out till the gear free's up, (now would be a good time to change the distributor shaft O-ring while your here!) point the rotor roughly at cyl 1 and set the distributor back in, It will rotate a little, if it rotates away from cyl 1 much, then pull the distributor out and compensate for that and reinstall. Make sure it fully seats, wiggle the rotor a little and the oil pump shaft should key in.
Install the hold down clamp and very lightly snug it into place, not so snug that you can't still rotate the distributor by hand.
Then, rotate the body of the distributor so that the magnetic pickup lines up with the triggers, making sure that your Ignition control module is roughly facing the open area so the connectors will be easy to install.
Install the cap and wires, make sure that you put the #1 wire where the rotor was pointing (at the #1 Cylinder) then install each wire in the clockwise direction 1-2-3-4-5-6.
Put your timing light on wire #1, and jump out your ALDL connector from pin A to B and start the car.
It should start, probably won't run great, but use the timing light to set the engines timing to 10 degrees on the timing mark, it should already be kind of close.
Remove your jumper and tighten your distributor clamp.
Don't put 100% faith in the timing marks on the harmonic balancer. There is a small to moderate chance that it has slipped over the years.
There is zero chance that anything on the harmonic balancer has slipped............................................. This is a duke.
quote
Originally posted by Fierobsessed:
Install the cap and wires, make sure that you put the #1 wire where the rotor was pointing (at the #1 Cylinder) then install each wire in the clockwise direction 1-2-3-4-5-6.
Don't count on it.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 08-25-2015).]
I have the same manual, Chilton's or something has the crazy instruction about pointing between 1 and 3. That is just wrong. As was mentioned, compression stroke, point to #1 cylinder. Check Intake Manifold for Cylinder Firing order. Make sure you have the Plug wires on correctly. Jumper on the ALDL connector to set the timing. If you don't jumper it the timing wont be right.
I had hell with ny 86 2.8 I did something a little different, works great. I dont know about the 4 cylinder, but the 2.8 is actually timed 10° BTC. You can see this marker if you can see your timing marks on the HB. Not to worry, it doesnt have to be exact at first, thats what turning the distributor is for
Now, first off, if you are by yourself, get a rag. You will NOT feel the air coming out of that cylinder if you are turning the motor by hand, and you wont know what stroke you are on. So, pull the #1 plug, get your rag, and use a screwdriver to stuff it in the #1 cylinder as good as you can. Try to avoid putting screwdrivers in there by themselves as this can scar up the cylinder walls. Now, move to the car and BARELY bump the key for it to turn the motor. Just a tad bit at a time. When it hits compression, and gets close to TDC, you will hear your rag fly out of there. Go look at your timing mark, and i Bet you are close enough to put your distrubutor in right. I reccomend, not only pointing the tooth on the rotor to the #1 plug on the Cap, but also pointing both if these inline with the #1 cylinder on the motor. Point them both in that direction! From this point, tighten down your distributor JUST loose enough so that you can turn it by hand. See if it will fire up. Sometimes its easier if you can have someone else start it for you, and you can work the throttle bottle from the back, and turn the distributor by hand until you find a sweet spot that it idles good at. From here, just throw on your timing light. Remember, at this point, (if the 2.5 is the same as 2.8), when your light hits, you want the groove on the HB to line up with 10°BTC, not exactly TDC. That is all
Feel free to ask me any questions, as I have spent a lot of time with timing.
Thanks for all he replies, I managed to get it. I put it in the wrong spot and the wires were on the wrong terminals. The manual I got was pretty vague, but I did manage to get it running. Thanks everyone.
