Distributor replacement with pictures and tips for a V-6

It’s fairly simple to replace a Fiero distributor in a V-6 engine but for the benefit of all of us, here is the procedure.

Tools needed.



Philips screwdriver, either 13MM wrench or an 8MM or 5/16-inch battery wrench, regular screwdriver, T-15 torx, dielectric grease, timing light, paper clip, 7MM nut driver, break-in lube, a drop of white paint or chalk for timing mark, 15MM distributor wrench and a 3/8 ratchet.

This is the procedure.

Pull ECM fuse.



Remove distributor cap with philips screwdriver.

Now turn the engine over until you have the rotor at a known position in relation to the distributor body to the engine. Many folks use the #1 cylinder / plug terminal position, that’s your choice. We want to install the new distributor in the exact position as the old one came out. It helps to take a picture so that there is no mistake later.



Disconnect the negative battery cable with the 13MM wrench or your 8MM battery post wrench depending on which battery connections you have.
Remove distributor wires to the ignition module.

This is a "Performance Tool" distributor clamp wrench, part number W1186, inexpensive and indespensible.


Remove the 15MM distributor hold down bolt.



Remove the ignition module. You can remove the distributor with the module attached but removal makes it easier.
Twist the distributor counter clockwise while pulling up.

Apply dielectric grease to the pick-up coil connector on new distributor. The re-manufacture doesn’t do this, they evidently don’t know much about corrosion on Fiero distributors! Go ahead and slather it on!



- - - continued in next post - - -


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jetman
Silver 86 SE 2M6 4-speed, with "check wallet light"

[This message has been edited by jetman (edited 01-01-2007).]

Lubricate the new distributor with break-in lube including the O-ring, I used Lucas treatment. I didn't have any official break-in lube, hopefully this will work as well.



Install new distributor with a clockwise motion. You need to get the distributor in the exact position that the old one came out so it might take a couple of tries to get it correct.



Now stop and take a look. Note the position of the old distributor, rotor and its relation to the engine and notice how the new distributor was installed almost exactly in the same orientation. The new rotor, distributor is in the same position as the old one prior to removal. This is the whole key and why I did this picture story. You do this correctly and you're home free.

Reinstall the ignition module wires, hold down bolt (snug not tight), distributor cap, negative battery cable and ECM fuse.

Start car and let it fully warm up. Turn off ignition, use a T-15 torx to remove two torx bolts holding ciggy-butt lighter cover, use a paper clip and ground out your ADL connection. In this picture I did use a 7MM and removed the entire arm rest.



Hook up your timing light to #1 plug wire, timing light power connectors to your battery and start engine.



Rotate your distributor until you have the timing set to 10 * then hook up to #4 plug wire, you want to set the timing at the average of these two readings. I'm a little chicken, I wear a glove while rotating the distributor.
Tighten the hold down bolt and button everything up.

Here is a picture of the timing mark scale mounted next to the harmonic balancer, I used a little paint so I could see it.



Go for a drive over 35 MPH so the ECM can re-learn the idle.

I took a picture of the two distributors side by side, a picture tells a thousand words, the old is on left, new is on right. Much nicer quality and I believe that you don’t have to pull the distributor to replace the pick up coil. The remanufacture is 700-3703 Cardone Ignition Distributor part number 30-1633.



This little picture story actually took much longer than original replacement job did but its worth it if helps out just one of my PFF friends. Oh yeah, I was within three degrees of timing so I really did get the new distributor very close upon installation.

As usual, any comments, critiques or encouragement is appreciated.


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jetman
Silver 86 SE 2M6 4-speed, with "check wallet light"

[This message has been edited by jetman (edited 01-01-2007).]

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Don't take life too seriously -- you'll never get out if it alive.

quote Originally posted by Formula88: Nice write up, but I'd make one change. You don't have to pull the center arm rest to get to the ALDL port. Just take out the 2 T15 torx that hold the cigar lighter plate on and you can get to it from there.

Oh my gosh, I didn't know that it was that easy to get to, all these years, all those bolts, it was just two screws. I went back out and took a picture of that procedure too.

Curly Howard says,,,,"Thats sabatoogy!"



Ok thanks, I'll go back and make the edit and include the 8MM or 5/16-inch battery wrench too.

Oh my gosh, that's a dirty looking console, this picture looks better.

[This message has been edited by jetman (edited 11-07-2010).]