Where is the rotor tip on a distributor?
Where is the rotor tip on a distributor?
On a distributor that turns clockwise, the rotor tip should be at the right or just after the terminal when the spark occurs with the vacum disconnected and plugged. With the advance connected and the engine at a steady speed off idle, the rotor tip should be just to the left or before the terminal ( Figure 4)
What do I need to know before installing a distributor?
Before we can place the wires in the distributor cap, the first thing we need to know is which direction the rotor turns. For our Chevrolet engine you’ll note that the rotor turns clockwise. Small- and big-block Fords turn counter-clockwise.
How does the rotor line up with the cap?
Here’s where the issue lies. On most traditional distributors, the rotor is phased to line up directly with the distributor cap terminal when the trigger wheel aligns with the magnetic pickup. Now if we align the pickup and trigger wheel at 50 degrees BTDC, the rotor is pointed well away from its intended spark plug terminal.
How to install a distributor and set initial timing?
Leave a little extra room with the spark plug wires to allow freedom of movement in the distributor. For Chevys, be careful to make sure 5 and 7 are installed correctly. If the wires are accidentally switched, the engine will not be happy. Before we try to start the engine, be sure the distributor is connected to switched power.
On a distributor that turns clockwise, the rotor tip should be at the right or just after the terminal when the spark occurs with the vacum disconnected and plugged. With the advance connected and the engine at a steady speed off idle, the rotor tip should be just to the left or before the terminal ( Figure 4)
Here’s where the issue lies. On most traditional distributors, the rotor is phased to line up directly with the distributor cap terminal when the trigger wheel aligns with the magnetic pickup. Now if we align the pickup and trigger wheel at 50 degrees BTDC, the rotor is pointed well away from its intended spark plug terminal.
How do you check the phasing of a rotor?
To check rotor phasing, you’ll have to modify a distributor cap so you can observe the rotor tip with a timing light when the engine is running. Drill a large hold into a cap near a terminal that will allow you an easy view of the terminal. (Fig 1)
Where does the spark go when a rotor is phased?
Then as timing is advanced, the rotor will sweep across the spark plug terminal to roughly 25 degrees on the other side of the terminal. This is an MSD photo of a rotor that is not phased properly. Note how far the spark has to travel to reach the spark plug terminal on the distributor cap.
