Ok, I screwed up. My 91 TR's major service was going smoothly. Valves were checked, belts and tensioners were changed. New cam cover gaskets were installed. Life was sweet. To completely reseal the cam boxes I removed the distributor base plates to change the distributor base gaskets. To remove the distributor base plates I needed to remove the distributor rotors. To ensure reassembly I took a picture of the location of each rotor. I then removed the three 7mm bolts which hold the rotors on and pulled the rotors. Hours went by, I was checking my work and decided that I would rotate the engine to check belt tension one last time before I snugged down the tensioners. Belts and tensioners are fine. Now which direction did those rotor arms face? Note to self - a picture may be worth 1000 words, but a small stripe of felt marker might be worth a few internet posts. Any idea how to figure this out without removing my cam covers again? Each rotor can face one of 3 ways, thus there is a 1 in 9 chance of getting it right.
John, Actually, you'll find that the rotors will only go on "one way", once you try to reinstall the small bolts. One of the mounting holes is slightly offset... David
Seriously? Wow. I feel (a) stupid and (b) incredibly relieved. Kind of like staring at your keys which you locked in your car and then someone tries your unlocked passenger door.
Can we please see some photo's please ? We like to learn ! Can you point it out on the drawing ? Image Unavailable, Please Login
I was trying to change gasket no. 6 on both sides (that diagram is from the front of the car looking back). To get to it I needed to remove the base of both distributors (item 3), so I removed item 9 (the rotor arms). Each is secured with 3 7mm brass bolts (item 39). The 3 holes the bolts thread into form a triangle. Thus I thought it was possible to mount the rotor facing one of 3 ways. Not true, the bolts only fit if the rotor is aligned one (correct) way. I can sleep now. Water pump is next weekend, the hardest part of the job. I should be able to take and post some pictures next time I work on it. With the block cleaned and the cam covers restored, it looks like a new engine. I want to pull the engine from the cradle and power coat the cradle along with the suspension arms. Those inner CV joint bolts look nasty. The further I go into this thing, the more I want to do. The work I envisaged (a major service) is now turning into a restoration.
Should I replace the seals behind the rotors (no 5?) Anyone know the customary NGK plug for a 91 Euro TR?
The three asymetrical holes on the end of the cam which make it idiot proof (except to me). Image Unavailable, Please Login
The 1:1 scale model kit which is my Ferrari Testarossa. The car was saved from the scrap heap. Image Unavailable, Please Login
With the refurbished cam covers and about a month's work to remove some of the corrosion on the block. Image Unavailable, Please Login