Distributor on 165hp InLine 6 out of alignment...

[Skipster1]

I apparently rotated the distributor when I put it back in. It simply will not start now. <br />How do I re-align it???<br />Thanks,<br />Skip

 

[moderator1]

Re: Distributor on 165hp InLine 6 out of alignment...

Skiph <br />Cadet <br />Member # 40356 <br /><br /> posted June 17, 2004 09:04 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />I really screwed up - I think. I replaced some lifters and may have put the distributer back in wrong. The engine sounds like it is ready to fire.... but won't.<br />This engine is a 1976 Mercruiser (GM) and I need the firing sequence just to make sure I have the thing hooked up correctly.<br />Thanks ,,,, from one tonto gringo. <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 26 | From: Bonita Springs, FL | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged | <br /> <br />xltier <br />Cadet <br />Member # 41728 <br /><br /> posted June 17, 2004 09:11 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />1 5 3 6 2 4 hth <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 15 | From: norway,me | Registered: May 2004 | IP: Logged | <br /> <br />rodbolt <br />Commander <br />Member # 32169 <br /><br /> posted June 17, 2004 09:17 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />hello<br />to young, to old, just right.<br />its always worked for me <br />good luck and keep posting <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 2309 | From: Kitty Hawk NC | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged | <br /> <br />Skiph <br />Cadet <br />Member # 40356 <br /><br /> posted June 18, 2004 01:24 PM <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />So, I had the wiring from the distributor correct, but she just won't start.<br />Is it possible that I managed to set the distributor back into the engine out of sequence (internally) even tho I didn't turn the engine over while the distributor was out????<br />If so, how do I get it back into "alignment"??<br />Thanks, <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Posts: 26 | From: Bonita Springs, FL | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged |

 

[gtaeza]

Re: Distributor on 165hp InLine 6 out of alignment...

Try to loosen the bolt underneath the distributor<br />and rotate slowly trying to locate the correct timing. you can rotate either forward or backward until the engine get start. Good luck,,,

 

[hoot]

Re: Distributor on 165hp InLine 6 out of alignment...

from the seloc manual, to time the engine, remove the rocker arm cover. rotate the engine in the NORMAL direction with a wrench on the harmonic balancer until both valves are closed AND the 0 on the timing tang is aligned with the mark on the balancer. align the rotor with the no. 1 cylinder wire terminal on the distributor cap. install distributor in block. if distributeor will not seat fully, rotate the crank slowly while pressing down on the distributor. this allows the oil pump gear and tang to align and the distributor to seat fully. tighten distributor in block. this should get timing close.

 

[sculbert]

Re: Distributor on 165hp InLine 6 out of alignment...

You can install the distributor a 180 degrees wrong. What you need to do is either take your valve cover off and rotate you engine clock wise on the harmonic balancer. Watch the intake valve on your number one cylinder and after you observe it compressing and then closing look at your timming mark on the harmonic balancer. when it points to tdc "Top Dead Center" you can then take the distributor cap off and look at where the rotor button is pointing it should be pointin to the number one wire in the front right corner of the cap. if it is pointing a 180 degrees off you can remove the distirbutor and turn it around 180 degrees. That should work for you. The other option is just rotate you distributor 180 degrees and try it. If it doesn't runn put it back.

 

[Skipster1]

Re: Distributor on 165hp InLine 6 out of alignment...

I have done all that just now... tried it at TDC and 4 degrees before TDC. No start.<br />I shifted the distributor cap at 1/4" increments clockwise and back. No start. Didn't actually sound close???? Sounded like it wanted to start, but just not close. And I get a backfire noise no matter where the cap is set.<br />I am certain all spark plug wires are in properly and in the right sequence in the dist. cap.<br />The engine always started right up before I did this work.<br />I am perplexed ... and hexed.<br />Thanks...

 

[Skipster1]

Re: Distributor on 165hp InLine 6 out of alignment...

BINGO!!!! Hoot seems to have hit on the issue. The darn distributor MUST be seated all the way in before you crank the motor. I cranked the engine a 1/4 of a turn to seat the distributor and that shifted everything out of alignment.<br />This time I made sure I had the distributor fully seated before I tightened everything and ..... vrrroooommmmmmmmm. Engine now sounds more powerful than ever.<br />I still get a bit of clacking noise from the lifters but find it hard to distinguish where the noise is coming from - front or rear. <br />So I will live with it.<br />I am not sure I have the rocker arms tight enough, but all six seem to be tightened to the same depth and the engine starts right up and runs powerful and even.<br />I think I should leave well enough alone,eh??????

 

[xltier]

Re: Distributor on 165hp InLine 6 out of alignment...

no way.u need to adjust the rockers rite.feel the push rods when its running.loosen the nut till u feel it tapping and tighten it down just enough to stop tapping.do them all that way and then shut it off and tighten them all down 1\2 turn more.may start a little hard at first but it will smooth out and then be fine.hth

 

[sculbert]

Re: Distributor on 165hp InLine 6 out of alignment...

Your close on tightening. I did that to my 165 last night. the service manual says to tighten them 3/4 turns after zero lash. <br /><br />I tried the old GM way running the engine but dang these boys pump the oil. Even my rocker clips couldn't contain it. So I went to the second method in the Mercruiser service manual and it says to tighten them 3/4 after zero lash. That is the same amount you tighten them if the engine is running too.