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Hi, how do I find #1 on the distributer when the cap is turned? I don’t know if the cap is turned a little bit clockwise or counterclockwise?
1966 F85 330cui
Thank you very much
Are the wires connected? If so, trace from #1 back to the distributor. If not, move the engine to TDC on the compression stroke on #1, remove the cap, note where the rotor is pointed and line up any terminal on the cap. That will be your #1 terminal.
1 year ago I removed the wires. Noted the position, lost the note! Engine was running before and cap was never removed. Not sure if turning because of advanced ignition make #1 look like #8
Crank the engine by hand with the #1 spark plug out and your finger over or some Kleenex in the spark plug hole. When you feel a gush of air come out or the Kleenex tissue pop out that will be the piston at TDC. At this point it can either be #6 or #1 that the rotor is pointing to. If you move the harmonic balance to where the indicator is pointing to 7.5 BTDC, it will be close to the wire location for the cap.
I'm sorry, but I really don't understand why this is such a difficult concept for people to grasp - and the question must come up weekly. When the #1 cylinder is on the compression stroke, the terminal on the distributor cap that the rotor is pointing to gets the #1 plug wire. The rest go on the cap CCW from there in the firing order. It takes longer to type this up than it does to do it.
1. I did look the manual
2. I do it the first time
3. I thought it would be a good idea to ask the advanced community here
4. No one knows this in Europe so I asked you guys
5. I learned my lesson and will asked nothing again. If you have nothing better to do then complain about the question of a beginner, then don’t comment at all
Sometimes here in the US of A we take some knowledge of things for granted. Your question was a valid one and hopefully the answers got you up and running. For future reference, if you get stuck, please feel free to ask for a solution. Not all of us were born with a 1/2" wrench in our mouths.
1966Oldsmobile
Your question was valid and I welcome any other questions you have to help you get your car running. I respect that you referred to the factory.service manual but didn't understand a specific aspect of the manual.
Factory service manuals are a great reference that were written for professional technicians over fifty years ago by people.
That fosters three issues,
1. Not everyone is a professional mechanic,
2. Many improvements and procedures have developed since the manuals, and
3. The manuals were written by people and no person knows everything. The collective knowledge of this forums members far exceed any manual written fifty years ago ;because we have referred to the manual and learned through the decades..
Manuals are also written primarily in one language and then translated to other languages. Sometimes nuances can be lost in translation.
It is my goal to foster the camraderie of this forum, promote the preservation and repair of these fantastic cars we call Oldsmobile.
On behalf of the forum I apologize for the responses that understandably caused your decision to not ask any more questions. I am asking that you let this thread and the responses that caused irritation not be "The straw that broke the camel's back."
Myself and other members look forward to your questions and contributions to the forum. Perhaps we will have questions or need help with a vehicle that you are familiar with.
