XJ40 ( XJ81 ) 1986 - 1994

Setting initial distributor position

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Old 04-20-2020, 07:23 AM
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Default Setting initial distributor position

In thinking about my problem with the misfire I am getting because of the spark jumping on the top of my coil, I am wondering if I might have incorrectly set the distributor position when I re-installed it last summer after doing the headgasket on the car.
I'm wondering if at some advance condition the rotor is too far away from the the contact point inside the cap and this is causing a huge increase in the resistance in the electrical path to the spark plugs.
Can anyone describe the correct method to setting the position of the distributor when reinstalling it into the motor?
 
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Old 04-20-2020, 01:54 PM
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the car needs to be set at TDC on the compression stroke of cylinder one, there is a mark on the harmonic balance gear wheel and the body of the car to help indicate this

when in TDC the distributor rotor arm will point approximately to the 4 o'clock position , just before where the HT lead for cylinder number 1 would go to , also ensure the keyway in the dizzy cap is seated correctly ,

BB
 
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Old 04-22-2023, 03:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Brake buster
the car needs to be set at TDC on the compression stroke of cylinder one, there is a mark on the harmonic balance gear wheel and the body of the car to help indicate this

when in TDC the distributor rotor arm will point approximately to the 4 o'clock position , just before where the HT lead for cylinder number 1 would go to , also ensure the keyway in the dizzy cap is seated correctly ,

BB
What does this mark on the harmonic balancer look like and where is it actually located on the damper?
This is a large part so I am looking for a little more detail here.
 
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Old 04-22-2023, 04:19 PM
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Old 04-23-2023, 03:51 AM
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Thanks a bunch motorcarman, resetting the distributor position to the correct position solved the problem I have had for a long time.
Very helpful!
 
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