MGB I may be confused :[

[GaryBeu]

Can someone send me a diagram or something to show where the spark plug wires should be correctly placed on the distributor...#1,#2,#3,#4 ? I~may~have them out of order. Thanks.

 

[David_DuBois]

1, 3, 4 ,2 - The only trick it to figure out which port on the cap is #1. Remove #1 plug, and plug the hole with your thumb while someone rotates the engine by hand. When your thumb pops off the #1 plug hole, look at where the rotor in the distributor is pointing - that will be the #1 wire.
Cheers,

 

[drooartz]

Firing order is 1-3-4-2 (front of car is #1)

Distributor spins counter clockwise.

Generally, the #1 plug wire is roughly at one o'clock on the distributor, in MOST cases. What you need to do is find TDC on cylinder #1 on the compression stroke, and that will let you know where the #1 spark plug should be. Then you go 1-3-4-2 counter clockwise from there. Just did this myself today.

 

[drooartz]

If the engine is not running (mine isn't), here's a method that I used today. Took the valve cover off, pulled the spark plugs. Lined the timing mark up on the pulley and use a chopstick/wood skewer to make sure cylinder 1 is at the top -- it's obvious if you check each cylinder.

Now, watch the valves. On the compression stroke the valves won't move. On the other stroke the valves will be in motion as you move through TDC. I put the car in 4th gear and rocked it a bit to watch the valves. Once you have the car at TDC #1 on compression, you've got where the #1 plug wire goes.

 

[GaryBeu]

Thanks guys...this is on my agenda for tomorrow. Another quick easy question...what size socket do I use to manually turn the engine over so I can find 10° BTDC to set timing?

 

[drooartz]

I don't use a socket -- put the car in 4th gear and roll the car. It rolls pretty easily and I find it easy to go slowly enough to line up the timing marks.