rand Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 I'm following the instructions in Tom Monroe's "How to Rebuild Your Nissan & Datsun OHC Engine" and I'm at the step where I need to install the oil pump and distributor drive shaft. In the book, he has a picture of the angle of the installed shaft relative to the distributor mounting face. I've tried pulling and reinserting the shaft for about 30 minutes (slightly rotating it this way and that each time) and can't figure out a way to get the angle any closer to what's pictured. I can either get it installed way more clockwise, or way more counterclockwise. How important is this exact angle? Tom's instructions: My best effort so far: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZHoob2004 Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 Have you verified your engine is actually at TDC? Your damper or timing marks could easily be off a few degrees. Enough to give you the results you're seeing. Verify TDC with a piece of aluminum rod or a piston stop in the #1 plug and then go from there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rand Posted November 2, 2019 Author Share Posted November 2, 2019 @ZHoob2004 Thanks, I think you're right. The Monroe book hasn't told me to find an accurate TDC with a degree wheel yet. I've only zero'd it out with a dial indicator before the head went on. I'm ordering a degree wheel and piston stop online now - I'll get it to TDC and report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZHoob2004 Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 If it hasn't been rotated since you put the head on you should still be at TDC, but it's still possible you've moved it, especially when putting on the timing chain. My guess is you're a degree or so off. If it still doesn't line up any better, I'd probably call it good enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick280 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 @rand Did you ever find out the problem? I am in the same boat. If you remember... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgsheen Posted July 10 Share Posted July 10 Super common with the L series engines. When setting the distributor spindle by mounting the oil pump the drive gear turns the spindle as it engages the crankshaft gear. Suggestions: - Yup, verify TDC with a piston stop - easiest way. Remember that the piston movement slows at the top of the crank arc so the crank can travel quite a few degrees with little movement shown on the piston. If you're really good you could probably ferret out TDC with a straw, pencil, screwdriver, etc. down the #1 spark plug hole, but piston stop will nail it when used correctly. Mark it correctly on the pulley if actual TDC doesn't match the indicator. - The pictures in the FSM of correct spindle alignment cause more confusion than enlightenment. Also rarely do you get a good picture at a proper angle from anyone else. I've found it easier to set the approximate spindle position (with the top angled slightly left) and then set the distributor on temporarily and see where the rotor points. You can mark the distributor cap #1 wire position on the distributor body. At TDC, the rotor should be coming in contact with that #1 cap position. Notice that there is a wide arc to the rotor contact and quite a bit of adjustment in the distributor so what you think may be "close enough" may well be the exact thing you need. I'm usually dyslectic about which way to adjust the spindle when putting up the oil pump and it generally takes me several tries so I never bolt it down with a four bolts. I use one bolt, snugged into position, until I'm pretty sure the spindle lines up correctly. There it helps to have a helper who knows how you want it to look after you've pushed it up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.