Ooops. Distributor rotor question. | FerrariChat

Ooops. Distributor rotor question.

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by JohnMH, Jun 8, 2009.

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  1. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,625
    Dubai / Bologna
    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.
     
  2. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
    BANNED Professional Ferrari Technician

    Apr 26, 2006
    3,664
    New England
    Full Name:
    David Feinberg
    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
     
  3. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,625
    Dubai / Bologna
    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.
     
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    33,736
    Austin TX
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Next time don't bother to remove the rotors. The base plate will come off right over them.
     
  5. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 25, 2008
    14,101
    Amersfoort, The Netherlands, Europe.
    Full Name:
    Mel
    #5 Melvok, Jun 8, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,625
    Dubai / Bologna
    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.
     
  7. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,625
    Dubai / Bologna
    Should I replace the seals behind the rotors (no 5?)

    Anyone know the customary NGK plug for a 91 Euro TR?
     
  8. testamon

    testamon Formula Junior

    Aug 16, 2008
    346
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Mike O
    NGK DR8 EIX
     
  9. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,625
    Dubai / Bologna
    Some pics. Starting with the rotor at issue.
     
  10. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,625
    Dubai / Bologna
    sorry, no pictures allowed (?)
     
  11. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 25, 2008
    14,101
    Amersfoort, The Netherlands, Europe.
    Full Name:
    Mel
    Post the pics !

    Use: manage attatchments
     
  12. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,625
    Dubai / Bologna
    #12 JohnMH, Jun 11, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  13. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,625
    Dubai / Bologna
    #13 JohnMH, Jun 11, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  14. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,625
    Dubai / Bologna
    #14 JohnMH, Jun 11, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  15. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,625
    Dubai / Bologna
    #15 JohnMH, Jun 11, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

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