Static timing!

[78 280zcar]

Anyone know how to set the static timing on a 280z 78. I have everything in the right spot but the rotor is not lining up with the #1 spark. I had this problem before when I was putting the distributor in and I just turned the distributor drive gear two notches counterclockwise but I want it right this time. I have the drive gear perfect but when the distributor is in, the plate doesnt line up with the locking screw hole and the plate is turned as far as it will go, what do I do. I was hoping if I just adjust static before starting the engine I could get it to fit in.

Also there is a mark on the distributor cap, does this indicate #1?

[z-ya]

If you have the oil pump shaft installed correctly, the distributor can only go in one way. The timing should be close enough to start the engine. You can always disconnect power from the fuel pump, crank the engine, and look at the timing with a timing light.

[78 280zcar]

But the prolem is is that the plate where the distributor mounts to the engine doesnt line up with the hole for mounting it. I know it only goes in one way but the way it goes in doesnt work. Its hard to explain, I will try to post some pics tomorrow.

[sblake01]

If you've had the engine apart, you probably don't have the oil pump shaft installed it the correct position to allow your distributor to align properly. That's basically the same thing Z-ya said.

[jmortensen]

I've been answering this thread on hybridz. The problem is that he's doing it exactly as shown in the How to Rebuild book and it doesn't run. The answer is to change the position of the gear, but he's hung up on the fact that it isn't exactly as the book shows it. My response to that is:

Who cares what the book says? Did it occur to you that the book might be wrong? If it doesn't run the way the book shows it, then maybe it is wrong. Make it run by moving the distributor shaft, and then it will be "right" and better yet, you'll be able to drive it.

[sblake01]

If the drive gear is 'perfect' and the distributor still won't line up, either the mounting plate is the wrong one (I don't know about the L6 but the L4 had a couple of different ones) or the drive gear is not 'perfect'. You're most likely going to have to move that oil pump until you get the proper relationship between it and the distributor.

[78 280zcar]

I will just turn it counterclockwise, thanks guys for the help

[78 280zcar]

Just to let you all know I finally got her running today runs good, but after a while of tinkering with the timing and what not, I put a screwdriver to the injectors and found out the #5 isnt working:mad:, so I hooked a noid light up to the connector and it lite up, so now I have to get an injector:sick: . And about a month ago I sent them to witchhunter.com to get them tested and cleaned and they came back good, so I dont know what happened in between that time! Whats weird is it was running really good without the #5 cylinder so hopefully after getting my new injector in it, it will run great and I will be a happy little camper after all the crap that has happened.:classic:

Just a question though is the noid light suppose to light up really dim. I checked it on the #6 cylinder connector and it lite up the same(really dim)?

Oh, and I still have to turn the dist drive gear counterclockwise one more little notch!

Thanks for all the help guys/gals great site!

[z-ya]

Best way to check if an injector is working is to pull off the connector when the engine is idling. You should hear a change in RPM and smoothness. I would think that the test light would not light up so much at idle. If you increas the RPM, the light should become brighter

Pete