21-07-2019, 09:06 AM
(This post was last modified: 21-07-2019, 09:40 AM by Malcolm Parker.)
It might be easier to take the spark plugs out so the engine turns easily on the starting handle, then put your thumb over the no. 1 cylinder spark plug hole, turn the engine over on the handle, you will feel when no. I piston is at the top of its stroke. Do it a couple of times if necessary. If the plug is over the piston, you can pop a bit of dowel or a ball point pen or similar down the hole and see how it goes up and down as you turn the engine over. Once the piston is at the top of the cylinder on its compression stroke, set the rotor arm in the distributor at no. I plug lead terminal. Replace plugs and distributor cap and all being well it should start up. Once running, turn the distributor anticlockwise slightly and it will affect the running. If the engine starts to sound rough, turn the distributor clockwise (ie retard the timing) Too much and the engine will sound dull, so turn it anticlockwise again and the tickover will increase, I like to set it so the engine is idling quite fast without sounding rough. Clamp the distributor and try the car on the road. The engine is very sensitive to timing, so only make minor adjustments.