atb

OB 16v 4.5L.

Marked distributor and rotor orientation before pulling distributor (yes it was necessary) before installing green wire. On reinstallation marks won't align, so turn to TDC and rotor point to #1 cyl distributor tower, but WSM references a cyl 1 mark on the housing. WSM 28-8. Can't find it, anyone know what I'm looking for? Is it one of the notches covered by the cap?

Lizard928

Adam,
Lift the black plastic plate that covers/protects the hall sensor.
It will be there. If the marks wont line up, then you likely moved the center shaft a tooth off when you lifted it.

atb

Colin, what does the mark look like?

Lizard928

It is a machined groove in the housing.

Mrmerlin

remove the cap and if fitted the black cover as Colin said,
then on the rim of the housing there will be a small groove cut into the top of the rim,
this is where the rotor has to line up when the engine is at TDC

jwillman

Sharkskin has a multitutde of OB write ups. Heres a link to is 16V ignition write up. Scroll down for photos.

http://members.rennlist.com/sharkski...leShooting.htm

atb

Thanks for the help everyone, the link to Sharkskins webpage helped in deciphering the WSM pic, which shows the OEM rotor that looks nothing like the replacement. It must be one of the rev limiter style? Because of its odd shape, I couldn't discern where the contact was pointing in the WSM, one part points to the large notch in the housing and the other to a line etched in the housing behind the vaccuum diaphragm housing. The line is the mark (opposite side of the diaphragm's vaccuum port.)
In realigning everything, my cams are almost a full tooth retarded. Also, is their a spec for the air gap between the distributor rotor and stator?, one of the stator tangs is making light contact. I'll measure the rest and just take the average to get the car running, but was curious if there was an actual spec.

atb

Stator to rotor clearance averaged 12 - 15 thousandths.
OB track car fired right up, but still chasing down some issues but its a good start.