Distributor - Ignition Rotor Alignment Procedure

83ford23 Article No. 83-3-9


DISTRIBUTOR - ROTOR REGISTRY - CHECK AND SET PROCEDURE ALL EEC (ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS)


FORD 1978-83 FORD WITH EEC

LINCOLN-MERCURY 1978-83 ALL CARS WITH EEC

Figure 9:

Figure 10:

1978, 1979 and early 1980 EEC distributors used on the EEC Systems may have had either the "carryover" rotor (Figure 10) or the "second generation" rotor (Figure 9). Care must be taken to insure that the proper procedure and the proper alignment tool are used.
Procedure for Rotor Alignment - Second Generation Rotor and Carryover design rotor.

1. Remove the distributor cap and wires and position them to one side.
2. For 1980-83 second generation rotor equipped vehicles, remove the rotor. For carryover design rotors do not remove rotor.
3. To check rotor alignment:
A. Rotate the engine until the No. 1 piston is on the compression stroke.

NOTE: Verification of being on the compression stroke is essential to correct motor alignment. If the piston is on the exhaust stroke, the rotor can be misaligned by 180~.

Figure 12:

B. Slowly rotate the engine until the alignment tool can be installed.

a. On carryover rotors the T78P-12200-A tool mounts between the slot in the upper electrode blade and the slot in the adaptor (Figure 12).

Figure 11:

b. On second generation rotors the T79P- 12200-A tool mounts between the slot on the sleeve and the slot (cut out) on the adaptor (Figure 11).
c. Read the timing mark on the damper indicated by the timing pointer.
d. If the timing mark is at specification, +/- 4~ (see chart) rotor alignment is satisfactory. The alignment tool can be removed.

Figure 9:

To Adjust Rotor Alignment Carryover and Second Generation Rotors

Second Generation Rotor (Figure 9)

1. Remove the distributor cap by loosening the two spring clips holding the cap to the distributor adaptor. Remove rotor.
2. Rotate engine until No. 1 piston is on the compression stroke. (See 3A above).
3. Slowly rotate the engine until the timing pointer is aligned with the specified timing mark. (Refer to Specification Chart for correct value).

Figure 11:

4. Loosen the two sleeve assembly adjustment screws and rotate the sleeve until the alignment tool T79P- 12200-A fits into the alignment slots on the sleeve and the adaptor (Figure 11).
5. Tighten the adjustment screws to 2.8-3.9 N-m (25-30 in.lbs.). Remove alignment tool.
6. Reinstall distributor cap and rotor making sure wires are firmly seated in the distributor cap terminal housings and on the spark plugs.

Figure 10:

Carryover Design Rotor (Figure 10)

1. Remove the distributor cap by loosening the two spring clips holding the cap to the distributor adaptor. Do not remove the rotor.
2. Rotate the engine until the No. 1 piston is on the compression stroke.
3. Slowly rotate the engine until the timing pointer is aligned with the specified timing mark. (Refer to the Specification Chart for the correct value).

Figure 12:

4. Loosen the two rotor mounting screws (Figure 12) and slightly rotate the rotor from side to side until the slot in the upper electrode blade aligns with the slot in the adaptor allowing the mounting of T78P- 12200-A alignment tool.
5. Tighten the two rotor mounting screws to 1.7 to 2.25 N-m (15-20 in.lbs.). Remove alignment tool.
6. Reinstall distributor cap and wires making sure wires are firmly seated in the distributor cap terminal housings and on the spark plugs.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"



ROTOR ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS CHART