I forgot to mark the cylinder lead positions before I took the distributor out. And now I'm trying to get the timing right.

The Haynes sierra manual says that the #1 lead on the distributor is the one nearest the timing cover, which is a bit ambiguous as there are two lead sockets on the dizzy cap equally close to the timing cover.

But elsewhere it says that the rotor at TDC should line up with the scribed mark on the distributor body. But the scribed mark is on the side furthest away from the engine.

So which is it? The engine is running now with the no1 lead plugged into position C in the diagram, but its running lumpy and won't idle for more than a few seconds

BTW the engine is Pinto 1.6 OHC with orange(Brown?) distributor cap.

been a long time since i did anything with distributors, but can't you set the engine to TDC (as per the crank pulley markings)
then look at the rotor arm, and wherever thats pointing i where you need to line a lead up to?

but I've had the dizzy out so I don't know where the rotor should be pointing at TDC

Make sure no1 piston is on it's compression stroke and set TDC. Line up rotor arm to mark and refit distributor. Sounds like TDC is currently on exhaust stroke. Remember distributor revolves at half engine revolution. Hence why it seems 180 degrees out. Confirm all this it's been 30+ years since I last did this.

Eddie

quote:

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Originally posted by kp
but I've had the dizzy out so I don't know where the rotor should be pointing at TDC

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As already suggested turn the crank to TDC on number 1 cylinder using the cam timing marks ,I would suggest removing the distributor and refitting so that the rotor points to the scribed mark for future reference. Finally get the ignition timing set up correctly. Did the engine idle before you took the distributor out

Slow down: If the engine is running you have it right, so check the firing order, check the points gap (if fitted), then check the ignition timing. If you have a Weber carb clean the idle (slow running) jets.