knocking after some light engine work

[marinewithafiat]

Hi all,

82 fiat owner. So I changed out the alternator for the 95 amp. Ran new plugs, wires, changed the distributor cap and rotor and pickup assembly. Started the car yesterday and got some fairly heavy knocking in the engine bay. Didnt run like that before replacing those parts. Is there any way I may have messed up the timing when i replaced the rotor and pickup? Ive got a new timing belt and was going to tackle that today. Perhaps getting the timing right after thst will fix the knocking issue.

Question: ive heard reference of setting the distributor to fire on a certain cylinder. Can someone explain how to do that?

[RRoller123]

Make sure the new dist cap is fully seated, if it is sitting up on the lip of the seating plane, it may be that a couple of cylinders aren't firing. Also check that alt belt isn't hitting something due to mis-adjustment/mech interference.

[wizard124]

Re-check the plug wires for firing order. I dont think it is possible to install the rotor 180 degrees off. Make sure your distributor cap is not faulty. I had a new cap that had bad internal continuity.

I would get it running right before moving ahead with the timing belt job.

[bobplyler]

If you replaced the pickup, the ignition timing needs to be set. It won't be right.

[narfire]

Question: ive heard reference of setting the distributor to fire on a certain cylinder. Can someone explain how to do that?

I'll try..... take the cap off and follow the lead plug to it's pin inside the cap. Turn the engine so all the timing marks are at TDC. Install the dist. with cap off so you can see pin and the rotor are going to be real close.
Cap on and the 17mm nut snug but you can still move the dist. to adjust to 10 deg. btdc.
Personally, if you are going to be changing the timing belt, I'd do this evolution just the once after the new belt is on. Do make sure the hole on the aux shaft wheel is at the 1 o'clock position or you could have one BIG knock and then end up with a whole other issue.... The # 2 cyl. rod cap can contact the end of the aux shaft and just starting the engine can knock the end off....
FIAT....Fixing It As Therapy..
Chris

[lglade]

If you replaced the magnetic pickup, then I'd make sure you got the gap right. I screwed that up on my own car last time and it complained like crazy until I got it fixed.