Distributor: Service and Repair

REMOVE


1. Disconnect battery ground cable.

Distributor:

2. Disconnect distributor wiring connector. (# 1)
3. Disconnect spark plug wires. (# 2)
4. Remove distributor mounting bolt. (# 3)
5. Remove distributor assembly.

DISASSEMBLY

Distributor - 2.3L:

1. Remove distributor cap and distributor lead wire. (#1 & #2)

Vacuum Unit:

2. Remove ground terminal and vacuum unit mounting screw.
3. Pry loose retractor outer cover.

Reluctor:

4. Insert a screwdrivers under lower side of reluctor and pull reluctor free.
5. Remove breaker plate, magnet, and unit.
6. Break away staking on gear set and remove pin.
7. File off staked end of roll pin, then drive out roll pin toward opposite side.
8. Remove drive gear and gasket.
9. Remove distributor shaft from housing.
10. Remove rotor shaft from distributor shaft.

Governor Flyweight And Spring:

11. Remove governor weights and springs from rotor shaft.

INSPECTION

1. Inspect components and replace worn parts as needed.

Air Gap:

2. Measure air gap and adjust if needed.

Checking Governor Control:

3. Turn rotor shaft counter-clockwise and release. Rotor shaft should return slightly clockwise.

REASSEMBLE

Governor Springs:

1. Refit governor weights and springs to distributor shaft. Attach springs to shaft spring hanger pin with smaller tapered ends of spring (both ends) secured to lower side of hook.

Rotor Shaft Alignment:

2. Carefully align rotor shaft 1 notches and distributor shaft 2 notches when installing rotor shaft.
3. Refit distributor shaft to housing.
4. Carefully align pinion gear pin hole and shaft hole. Set pinion gear with gasket to distributor shaft.
5. Insert roll pin and stake both sides of pin.
6. Refit housing gasket.

Breaker Plate Alignment:

7. Refit breaker plate, magnet and unit. Align scribe marks on breaker plate and housing.

Reluctor:

8. Refit reluctor. Roll pin notch and retractor notch must be parallel when roll pin is inserted into retractor.
9. Refit distributor lead wire.
10. Refit vacuum control unit.

REFIT

1. Remove valve cover.

Timing Mark:

2. Move No. 4 cylinder to TDC on compression stroke. Be sure timing marks are aligned.
3. Apply engine oil to distributor O-ring.

Alignment Marks:

4. Align distributor case setting mark with distributor shaft setting mark.
5. Fit distributor to cylinder head and align distributor shaft setting mark with cylinder head setting mark.
6. Refit valve cover.
7. Tighten distributor mounting bolt to:

14 ft lb (19 Nm)

8. Refit spark plug wires.
9. Check and adjust ignition timing. Refer to Powertrain Management/Ignition System/Adjustments.