distributor cap-help finding #1

[joseph1980]

hi guys i messed up and didn't pay attention to what wires went where when i replaced my cap and rotor. I know the firing order is 1342 for 2000 3.0 mercruiser but the cap is rotated and isn't square to block like in the manual. so how do i determine whats the # 1 cylinder on the cap?

 

[fuzzybob]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

Roll the engine over by hand to bring #1 piston to top dead center on the comp. stroke. The rotor will be pointing at #1 on the distrb cap

 

[fishrdan]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

Google (sorry for the big pic)

 

[joseph1980]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

hmm i got the timing mark lined up the the tdc mark and a verified that the #1 piston was all the way up but where the rotor was pointing looked like where the wire for plug three is going on that picture...i'm confused?

 

[searay3]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

that piston has to be up, but on the compression stroke. Pull the plug and rotate the engine. You will feel air when it is coming up with the valves closed. You are probably 180 degrees out.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

Put the #1 wire in the terminal the rotor is aligned with, then #3, #4 and #2 in the other terminals according to rotor rotation ie: if it's clockwise install them in a clockwise direction from #1. If it's counter clock, then the opposite direction. If it won't start and coughs or backfires,If you haven't loosened the distributor and rotated it, then move #1 to the terminal 180* opposite it and install the other three as stated before.
Hope this helps,
Mike

 

[cr2k]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

Unless someone has pulled the dist. and not got it back right the rotor will point to number one spark plug.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

You can't go by any picture of what someone else has. Either yours or his distributor may have been pulled and reinstalled.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

You can't go by any picture of what someone else has.

Why not? That's how it's supposed to be.

If the distributor is stabbed incorrectly, pull it and put it in the correct position. The 3.0 EST ignition has short plug wires for #1-2 and if the dist is not stabbed correctly (let's say 180* out) the plug wires will not be long enough to fit properly.

Could you get it running stabbed 180* out, yeah, but the plug wires would be laying in bad positions and probably leaning up against each other, cross firing...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

You have no idea if his has longer spark plug wires right? Don't take anything for granted on these forums. Weird stuff that people have after they have been worked on by various people.

More than likely it is like yours...there is still a chance that it isn't and needs to be checked.

 

[fishinpa]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

If the wires are touching and cross firing they need to be replaced.
But yes the dist and rotor should line up as per oem placement and if they dont it should be retimed/ dist moved etc to come up on #1 at the correct position.some service manuals will show a designated # 1 on the cap for you to go by for your firing order sequence.

its too confusing for newbs to have things different than another machine or picture of the same type ..


fish

 

[fishrdan]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

I'm sticking with the pic I posted (not my engine) as it shows the proper placement of the plug wires on the cap. IF the distributor is not stabbed properly, it needs to be pulled and set correctly so #1 terminal is where Mercruiser Manual #26 shows.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

I agree, it doesn't hurt anything to get it into that position. Doesn't hurt anything to leave it where it is either. He should just check to make sure that TDC on compression stroke lines up to the proper place on the distributor.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

Joseph1980 hasn't said if the distributor has been removed or rotated. If it hasn't then #1 will either go where the rotor is pointing now or 180* opposite where it's now pointing depending on whether #1 piston is at the top of the compression stroke or the top of the exhaust stroke. As Searay said, pull the #1 spark plug and feel air being pushed against your finger while turning engine slowly. When it reaches TDC then it is at top of the compression stroke. I realize you're getting a lot of input here and are probably getting more confused, so if all else fails take to someone who knows how and see if they'll let you see how it's done.
Mike

 

[joseph1980]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

thanks for all the help guys....i just recently got this boat and knew that it at minimum needed a tune up. after doing some further testing my coil and ignition module are bad..bah.. would a cap with severe corrosion lead to these failing? thanks for all of the help and i'll update how it runs when i get the coil in...

 

[fishrdan]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

Bummer, what testing did you do to trouble shoot the ignition system? Do you have the manual(s) for the ignition and engine?

If your shift interrupt switch is activated (or the shift interrupt switch wires connected together), the ignition will seem like it's dead since it's getting the signal (12V) to cut the ignition.

If you don't have it yet, download and checkout Mercruiser manual #26 available in the "Adults Only". This manual has troubleshooting procedures for the EST ignition and other valuable info you will need to maintain your 3.0.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=1693398#post%201693398

 

[joseph1980]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

i had the ignition module tested at autozone and then had a friend at the local chevy dealership verify it. i tested the coil per the manual using a multimeter and all the tests showed it it to be bad. the pickup coil did show to be good at least.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: distributor cap-help finding #1

What ever you do learn from others mistakes and do not but aftermarket ignition parts such as coils,modules they have tendencies of going bad from not be able to to dispurse heat spend the extra money and do it right the first time. I wasted 2 weekends on the water chasing what I thought @ the time was a bad plug wire found out it was a bad aftermarket mod I replaced (improper adv,)