Technically, how to time the distributor?

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Topless
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Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 124 Spider 2000

Technically, how to time the distributor?

Post by Topless »

Novice mechanic here. I bought a timing light to set my ignition timing and am ready to go but also read that the distributor rotor should point at spark wire 4 at TDC. I've never touched a distributor before but believe the rotor is the red line I see when I take the cap off. How do I position it? Youtube says to loosen the screws but that only loosens the cap, and I am unable to turn the unit. Apologies for the basic questions.
PaulC
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Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider 2000
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Re: Technically, how to time the distributor?

Post by PaulC »

Loosen the hold down clamp at the base of the shaft on the left side.
A crow foot wrench will make it easier to access.
bobplyler
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Re: Technically, how to time the distributor?

Post by bobplyler »

Here's a picture of the distributor. There's a bolt holding a fork like thing that holds the distributor in place, under the main part of the distributor. Not the easiest thing to see or get to.
Image
1979 Fiat Spider (since new)
2005 Lincoln LS (the wife's car)
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (daily driver)
1999 Honda Shadow VLX 600
1972 Grumman Traveller 5895L (long gone).
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