I confirmed my timing belt setting today and both cams are right where they should be at TDC. However the rotor cap seems to be 180 out from the WSM if I interpret the picture correctly.

In the picture below you can see the reference mark at the 3 oclock position. Per the WSM the rotor should point to the ref mark. My contact end of the rotor is 180 out from the reference mark. WSM picture is not great and shows a different style rotor cap so I wanted to confirm before I swap it around.

If it is 180 out what issues would this have caused? Trying to determine if this may have caused some of my rough running.

Thanks

 

The most significant result of having the rotor 180° off is that (a) the car won't run at all or (b) your wires will not be in the correct positions per the markings on the cap(assuming it has those markings, quality caps do have them).

Life is easier if things are oriented properly per the markings on the parts, since it's more difficult to get the wires on in the wrong order if you have markings you can trust.

Fixing this is as simple as pulling the distributor and engaging the gear in the correct position on the cam when reinstalling. Some info here that can help you resolve that and perhaps your rough running as well.

 

Dave,

Thanks a bunch. I have used the write ups on your site for a dozen things already and thought I had seen those photos before but could not remember where.

This is a big help.

 

I thought the cap was keyed and would only go on one way? I have replaced mine twice...but its been a while since the last one.
jp 83 Euro S AT 52k

 

Yep, the cap should only fit one way on the distributor. The problem here is that the distributor was installed with the shaft indexed to the cam improperly at some point in the past.

 

When you pull the distributor the center stator assembly is what is spline to the engine and it seperates from the housing. When reinstalling the stator can be installed in a number of positins ( did not count the gear teeth) based on engaging the gears in the engine. There is a key for the cap alignment but if the stator is misaligned during install the rotor cap will not align with the ref mark when engine is at TDC.

 

FWIW if you look at the distributor body you will see that there is a hash mark for the distruibutor rotor to line up with once you have the rotor at the hash and the TDC marks lined up then you know the rotor and engine are timed.
Then figure out what way rotor turns put the ! 1 plug wire at the rotor position then follow with the firing order,