Changing/replacing the distributor, Who's done it? Options

[jordisonjr]

I did a seach and found nothing.
Has anyone here had to change the distributor?

My car needs a distributor, and the dealer wants 800 parts and labour, so I really don't want to go that route.
Is this something that can easily be done on my own, with no special tools?
Is it possible to really mess up the timing from replacing the distributor? or is it something really simple to do?

Any help you guys can offer would be great.

[matts94celica]

This thread is in wrong spot, move to engine maintance.

[Spider77]

While swapping out the distributor isnt that hard to do (it only goes in one way). It would be a good idea to have a timing light to make sure things are as they should be.

[jordisonjr]

Matts94celica: Distributor is electrical, didn't think it was a big deal to throw it in electrical. Thanks for contributing to this thread..

Spider77: Is it likely that the timing will change in the prcess of replacing the distributor?

[Spider77]

From my experience, not really. But it never hurts to make sure!
But, as you can see from this included pic (not mine) that I pulled from good ol Google, its pretty much impossible to align the distributor the wrong way....I suggest the timing light to make sure your timing is at base (or whatever it is that you had it at, I run mine at 15 degrees advance)



This post has been edited by Spider77: Aug 31, 2011 - 4:47 PM

[stephen_lee]

He has an OBDI GT, there are 2 slotted bolt holes. He can SERIOUSLY misalign the dizzy.


but its SUPER easy to replace. 2 bolts & the electrical connectors

[Spider77]

I've got an OBDI and had no issues whatsoever, but I will admit it has been awhile.
If we're talking the adjustment slots (for the timing) then yeah, its a bit tricky, but nonetheless totally possible (without a timing light). Just wondering how he can misalign the dizzy?

This post has been edited by Spider77: Aug 31, 2011 - 5:06 PM

[stephen_lee]

when the bolts are loose the whole dizzy will rotate in place... changing the base timing

maybe its different for cali/fed spec? but i dont think so

[Spider77]

Nah, its the same. Difference in the Cali/Fed spec is the the internal vs external pack, plus some little differences I may not be aware of. While the base timing may be able to be changed, its nothing that you cant play off of ear. But thats why I said timing light to make sure the timing is at base or whatever he desires it to be at. What I meant by align was there is only one way the dizzy (key side) will go in, as the shape will not allow for any other configuration (ie upside down). A slight mix up there. Either way, a timing light and the half hour (if even that) to remove/install/set timing is far far less that 800. Sooooooooooooooo...OP, get a timing light (buy one, rent one, get one from a friend), just to make sure the timing is where you want it! I suggest buying one, because its a great tool to have.

[trdproven]

general way is to remove the old one and put in the new one in the same spot and marking it. However, getting a timing light would be best so you can dial in correctly.

[jordisonjr]

Yea I figured it wouldn't be difficult to pysically replace the dizzy.
just don't really feel ike messing up the timing, and then ahving to sepnd more moeny to get that fixed haha.
If I were to just mark the new one the same way as the old one, what would I be marking?

[rave2n]

I just marked its location, and put the new one identically back.

Yea I cheaped out and didn't get a light.

[jordisonjr]

What exactly did you mark? is it visable in that picture posted above?
did you have any problems with timing afterwards?

[xrav22]

What exactly did you mark? is it visable in that picture posted above?
did you have any problems with timing afterwards?

Mark where the rotor is before you take it off and makt the new diz the same way slide it right back on. get a new o ring of course.

[trdproven]

when I don't have a timing light i just guess it off from the idle and adjust from the slot by tapping it.

[rave2n]

Yea I figured it wouldn't be difficult to pysically replace the dizzy.
just don't really feel ike messing up the timing, and then ahving to sepnd more moeny to get that fixed haha.
If I were to just mark the new one the same way as the old one, what would I be marking?

Nope, no issues with timing after.

I found a crevice on the new distributor, made small mark with a wax pencil, made the same mark on the old, and ran the line all the way to the valve cover. Old out, new in, on exact line.

[jordisonjr]

Awesome.
Probably gunna tackle this tonight, hopefully all goes well haha