Need Big Help with Timing/Distributor

[pete240sx]

I did something very bad (stupid) the other day. I noticed my 240 was bogging down on the way home, so I pulled the wires and saw that #1 cylinder wasn't firing. So I pulled the distributor cap and saw the rotor and cap needed replaced. For some reason I still can't understand, the rotor wouldn't come off. So in trying to get it off, I thought maybe it was some kinda weird rotor thing, and loosened these two bolts and out came the distributor. So I put it back in, not thinking much about it, and then discovered the rotor popped right off. After I got the new rotor and cap on the next day, I discovered the car wouldn't run. After looking over the internet, I discovered why, much to my dismay. So, lesson learned. I've searched this forum and found various threads on distributors, but most were from people who didn't screw up like I have, so other that gleaning what TDC is, I have no idea what to do right now to get this thing running again.

What do I need to do to get this running? I've read where people suggested turning the engine to get the first cylinder al the way compressed, but how do I check this without tearing the engine down? Can I just put a dowel rod into the plug hole and check it at it's highest mark? How do you turn the engine to get TDC; using the ignition and having someone watch?

Any help here is more than appreciated. I really want to get the car running again.

Thanks

[miUnikTwo40]

u should use a half inch ratchet to turn the main pulley clockwise until u reach top dead center this is the easiest and most accurate way to do this. while u turn this u can watch the timing marks on the main pulley u want to align the second timing mark from the left with the timing pin once u have this done u will wnat to insert the rotor with the rotor dial facing spark plug wire one. if u have this correct or very close to correct the engine will either crank and run or youll get backfires as u get it closer to running. hope this helps! u can go by this more detail! http://www.240sx.org/faq/articles/timing101.htm

[:: orion ::]

See here as well - 1st two articles:

http://www.ka-t.org/tech/

- Brian

[pete240sx]

Excellent info guys, thanks a bunch! One more question though, how do I disconnect the TPS? Where is it?

[frapjap]

TPS is in front of the upper intake manifold. Gray plug, a few wires in and out of it. Its slid onto a bracket.

[pete240sx]

Well, I did everything those articles suggested, and it doesn't even sound like it wants to try to turn over. I had it at TDC, and the rotor at the spot where it would be in line with the #1 cylinder, and didn't get even a burp.

Am I missing something?

[OldmanPurdy]

Seems you are doing it right but the #1 piston probally is 180 degreess off. When you line up the the timing mark on the crank pulley to TDC the #1 cylinder can either be on the compression stroke or the exhaust stroke, you want it to be on the compression stroke. In order to check this have someone plug the spark plug hole with their thumb (plug wire may work too) and turn the crank pulley. on the compression stroke they should feel a pop of air then line up the pin and put the distributor to cylinder #1. I had this same problem when I removed my timing guides and im sure most ppl have also at some point. Good luck