Seating The Distributor - Jeep cherokee 1989 Owner's Manual

13.6 Before loosening the distributor hold-down bolt, make a
mark on the edge of the distributor base directly below, and in
line with, the rotor tip (I), then mark the distributor base and the
engine block (2) to ensure that the distributor is installed correctly
does not have a mark for the number one terminal, locate the number
one spark plug and trace the wire back to its corresponding terminal
on the cap.
5 Remove the distributor cap (see Chapter 1) and turn the engine
over until the rotor is pointing toward the number one spark plug ter-
minal (see locating TDC procedure in Chapter 2).
6 Make a mark on the edge of the distributor base directly below the
rotor tip and in line with it (if the rotor on your engine has more than
one tip, use the center one for reference). Also, mark the distributor
base and the engine block to ensure that the distributor is installed
correctly (see illustration).
7 Remove the distributor hold down bolt and clamp, then pull the
distributor straight up to remove it. Caution: DO NOT turn the
crankshaft while the distributor is out of the engine, or the alignment
marks will be useless.
Note: If the crankshaft has been moved while the distributor is out, the
number one piston must be repositioned at TDC. This can be done by
feeling for compression pressure at the number one plug hole as the
crankshaft is turned. Once compression is felt, align the ignition timing
zero mark with the pointer.
8 Insert the distributor into the engine in exactly the same relation-
ship to the block that it was in when removed.
9 To mesh the helical gears on the camshaft and the distributor, it
may be necessary to turn the rotor slightly. Recheck the alignment
marks between the distributor base and the block to verify that the
distributor is in the same position it was in before removal. Also check
the rotor to see if it's aligned with the mark you made on the edge of
the distributor base.

Seating the distributor

If you have difficulty seating the distributor on the engine block,
use the appropriate Step (1 0, 11 or 12 below) for the type of engine
you have. If the distributor seats properly, with the flange flush with the
engine block, proceed to Step 13.
10 If you have difficulty getting the distributor to seat properly on a
four-cylinder engine, use the following procedure:
a) Make sure the number one piston is at TDC (see Chapter 2).
b) Look into the hole in the engine block where the distributor
mounts. You should see the oil pump gear slot (see illustration).
Put a screwdriver into the slot and rotate the oil pump gear so the
gear slot is slightly past the three o'clock position.
c) With the distributor cap removed, install the distributor with the
rotor pointing to the five o'clock position (see illustration).
d) With the distributor fully engaged in its correct location, the rotor
should be pointing to the six o'clock position (see illustration).
e) If the distributor is still not installed correctly, repeat this proce-
dure.
11 If you have difficulty getting the distributor to seat properly on a V6
engine, use the following procedure:
The Motor Manual Guy
Chapter 5 Engine electrical systems
screwdriver to rotate the oil pump gear so the slot is slightly past
distributor with the rotor pointing toward the five o'clock position
a) Remove the number one spark plug.
b) Place your finger over the number one spark plug hole and rotate
c) Align the timing index mark on the vibration damper with O-de-
d) Turn the rotor to point between the number one and number two
e) Install the distributor.
12 If you have difficulty getting the distributor to seat properly on an
FRONT FACE OF
ENGINE BLOCK
OIL PUMP
GEAR SLOT
the three o'clock position,
FRONT FACE OF
ENGINE BLOCK
5 O'CLOCK
APPROX.
.
. .
then, with the distributor cap removed, install the
FRONT FACE OF
ENGINE BLOCK
I
I
ROTOR POSITION WHEN
PROPERLY INSTALLED
correctly seated (engaged), the rotor should be at the six
o'clock position
the crankshaft slowly until you feel compression.
gree (TDC) on the graduated timing degree scale on the timing
gear cover.
spark plug terminals on the distributor cap.
5-7
. . .
ROTOR
PRE-POSITIONED
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