Fitting New Distributer Cap

[chenco]

I remember someone telling me ages ago, that when you fit a distributer cap, you need to set the timing, and for this you need a strobe light. Any one know anything about this?

Geoff

[Topbuzz]

depends for what engine. my Nova GTE is self timing, so a timing gun will be of no use. The dizzy cap itself you can only get on one way. But the whole distrubitor, if removed, does need to be set. Best way I found is paint a pit of tip-ex right across the camhousing and the dizzy housing. That way, if you moved it, you can line them back up. If its a new dizzy housing to be fitted, you can do the same and match it with the old one. Apprently, accoring to haynes book, there are markings. But I have yet to see these (in fact I will be chaning the cam this weekend if the parts from autovaux come on time), so I'll be also in the same boat.

[Dicko]

dizy yes but not just the cap.

just make sure u know which plug lead goes where, put some vaseline around the lip where its going to touch the dizzy to keep it sealed!!

[craig green]

Hold the new cap next to old. Swap leads over one by one onto corresponding point on new cap. When complete, undo old cap, replace new cap in same position with a nu rotor arm hopefully. DONE

As for GTEs being self timed. I can time my early GSi up with a strobe light and it makes quite a difference to the throttle response & power output. I beg to differ Topbuzz.... :wink: