" Thanks, however I have attached a copy from the SPi manual specification and it shows the firing order as: 1-3-4-2 "clockwise", so when looking at the attached drwg of the distributor cap, the number 2 lead goes to the RH side plug (next to radiator when looking at the front of the engine) followed by number 4 lead, number 3 lead and then number 1 lead on the LH side plug - is this correct?
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Everything here is correct. In car mecanics every thing is described in driving direction! This means , when you stand in front of the car, the dizzy turns anticlockwise!
Understood now?
No that is not correct as I said the HT leads must go from the corresponding number in the distributor to the corresponding number of the cylinder/sparkplug.
You are saying that the number 2 lead goes to the RH side plug. No you have connected it to number 1 cylinder/sparkplug. NUMBERS DO NOT MATCH
Number 2 lead goes to the next cylinder/sparkplug towards the clutch end of the engine the second cylinder/sparkplug away from the radiator. NUMBERS DO MATCH.
Therefore it follows that number 3 lead goes to the next cylinder/sparkplug number 3 from the radiator end. NUMBERS DO MATCH
That leaves you with number 4 lead going to the cylinder/sparkplug nearest the clutch end of the engine again NUMBERS DO MATCH.
If you take the valve cover off and turn the engine over by hand clockwise until both the valves nearest the fan/radiator are closed, that is number 1 cylinder at top dead centre.
Now check that the timing mark and sensor are in alignment.
Remove the dizzy cap mark with tape and pen the contact numbers on the outside of the cap.
Place the dizzy cap close to the dizzy with it in the correct orientation as if it were fitted correctly.
Now look at the distributor rotor and it should be pointing at the position for contact number 1 on the cap.
Now turn the engine over by hand until both the valves for cylinder number 3 are closed (third one from the fan/rad end), that is number 3 cylinder at top dead centre.
The rotor arm should now be pointing at the position for contact number 3 on the cap.
Turn the engine over by hand until the valves on cylinder number 4 ( the one nearest to the clutch housing) are both closed, that is cylinder number 4 at top dead centre.
The rotor arm should now be pointing at the position for contact number 4.
It therefore follows that you turn the engine over until the valves on cylinder number 2 (the second one in from the fan/rad end of the engine) are both closed.
The rotor should be pointing at the position for contact number 2.
When I say valves are closed that means that they are at their highest point of movement in relation to the top of the cylinder head.
Thus you have the firing order of 1342 with the engine turning clockwise and the dizzy turning anticlockwise.
The spark plug fires at or just before top dead centre.
If you are still not getting the engine to fire up having followed the above sequence and connected the HT leads correctly then it could be the case that you timing is out by 180 degrees.
Check this by getting number 1 cylinder to top dead centre and checking that the sensor is opposite the TDC mark.
If it isn't then you probably have got the dizzy in the wrong way by 180 degrees.
Easily done I did it myself I did not check when both valves of number one cylinder were closed the timing mark on the crank pulley was inline with the TDC mark on the timing cover.
Put the dizzy in and of course it was out by 180 degrees.
Paddy
Edited by Designer, 16 March 2024 - 12:59 PM.
