Connecting Ignition Wires - Which is #1?

Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1998 16:31:09 EDT
From: Dan Masters
Subject: [Connecting TR6 Ignition Wires]

Original Question:

In a message dated 98-10-10 15:32:26 EDT, Jim Altman writes:

> One question I find confusing is in reconnecting the plug wires might I have
> started with 1 in the wrong place. I know the firing order, but my books
> are all rather confusing about which hole in the dizzy cap is number 1. I
> need a reference point, i.e. the low voltage connection from the coil.

Jim,

I have just gone through the valve adjustment myself - several times - and I may have a few hints that will help. I pull the plugs from all cylinders first, so the engine is easier to turn over. Then, I use a ratchet and a socket on the nut that holds the alternator pully on. Using this, it is extremely easy to turn the engine, and has the same effect, I think, as pushing the car forward as recommened by Ted Schumacher (if not, I'm sure someone will let me know - please do!). From there, follow the advice given by Ted. One advantage of pulling the plugs: Using a flashlight, you can look into the spark plug hole and see the piston (you can also check the condition of the valves to a certain degree, as the valve heads are also visible, and the cylinder walls). As you turn the engine, the piston will go to TDC and then reverse direction. Just before it reverses, there is a slight pause, which is very easy to spot. This makes it easy to ensure the piston is at TDC.

Once you get the # 1 piston to TDC, remove the distributor cap and look at the rotor. It will point to the # 1 cylinder lead. Your timing will not be set for TDC, but TDC is close enough to find the #1 spark plug lead. The rotor will be pointing far closer to # 1 than any other, unless your timing is way off. By definition, this is the way to determine the # 1 lead. Depending on how you inserted the distributor, and which distributor gear tooth meshed with which cam drive gear tooth, the # 1 lead on your car may be different than on another (at least I think so - anyone want to comment?)

Also, remember, the distributor rotates CCW. I know, this is a stupid mistake to make, but ..........! I got out of bed at 2:00 AM once to reverse the wires on my car after extreme frustration trying to figure out why it wouldn't start after I had done some simple, routine maintainance. I layed in bed and worried about it till it finally dawned on me what I had done. I couldn't wait till morning to find out if that was the problem. It was!

Dan Masters,
Alcoa, TN

'71 TR6---------3000mile/year driver, fully restored
'71 TR6---------undergoing full restoration and Ford 5.0 V8 insertion - see: http://www.sky.net/~boballen/mg/Masters/index.html
'74 MGBGT---3000mile/year driver, original condition - slated for a V8 soon
'68 MGBGT---organ donor for the '74