Firing Order Confusion...

[Fiat88]

Today I just noticed that my ignition plug wires do not match up with the numbers on my distributor cap to 1-2-3-4 cyl but my car seems to run fine, no misfiring. I'm lost on this one?

[dmwhiteoak]

I don't rember the order of the plugs in the head But i I can assure you that you will see an improvement if you put them where they belong. I'm sure someone will chime in with the way they are numbered on the head ,put the wires where they belong. You will be glad you did.

[Fiat88]

I don't rember the order of the plugs in the head But i I can assure you that you will see an improvement if you put them where they belong. I'm sure someone will chime in with the way they are numbered on the head ,put the wires where they belong. You will be glad you did.

I thought that if the wires were wrong the car woudn't run, that's why I'm confused because it sounds fine.

[So Cal Mark]

obviously someone put the distributor in with the rotor improperly aligned, then swapped the wires on the cap to make it run

[Fiat88]

obviously someone put the distributor in with the rotor improperly aligned, then swapped the wires on the cap to make it run

Oh how nice! I will take some pics and show you guys. Is this what 180 out refers to or something else?

[rlux4]

No. The rotor needs to be pointed at the terminal in the dist. cap for the cylinder that is at the top of it's travel on the compression stroke. If it's pointed to the cylinder that's at the top of it's travel on it's exhaust stroke it's 180° out.
Picture your setup this way; if someone were to put the dist. gear in 90° off, the wires would all have to be moved one position in the same direction, they'd all then be in the same relative position.
Ron

[Fiat88]

No. The rotor needs to be pointed at the terminal in the dist. cap for the cylinder that is at the top of it's travel on the compression stroke. If it's pointed to the cylinder that's at the top of it's travel on it's exhaust stroke it's 180° out.
Picture your setup this way; if someone were to put the dist. in 90° off, the wires would all have to be moved one position in the same direction, they'd all then be in the same relative position.
Ron

Ok I think I get it. So I want to get it back to the correct orientation, so I'm going to have to take out the distributor and reinstall it correctly? Can someone tell me is the procedure difficult? I have the brooklands book. Thanks for the help btw, its much appreciated!

[maytag]

no, not difficult. Hardest thin about it is that the gears that engage are canted such that as you remove the distributor, it will rotate, and it'll do the same (well, opposite) when you put it back in. So you want to make sure you're paying attention to where the rotor is when it finally disengages from that gear.

[Fiat88]

Ok took some pics. Here's how the wiring is connected, Distributor Cap # is first, Engine Cyl # is Second
2-1
4-2
3-4
1-3

I tried connecting the wires 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4 but misfired and popping noises.
Hope you guys can mayve tell me what you see? Thanks.

Cap is 1 3 4 2 started from fire wall, you can see the number if you look close

[maytag]

Ok took some pics. Here's how the wiring is connected, Distributor Cap # is first, Engine Cyl # is Second
2-1
4-2
3-4
1-3

Did you read and understand socal mark's post above? Cuz this is short of bearing out that he is right.

[divace73]

it looks like you rotor has been installed at the wrong spot, compared to the dizzy housing???

[Fiat88]

Ok took some pics. Here's how the wiring is connected, Distributor Cap # is first, Engine Cyl # is Second
2-1
4-2
3-4
1-3

Did you read and understand socal mark's post above? Cuz this is short of bearing out that he is right.

Ignition timing is is whole new area for me. I never really messed with the distributor timing, I only replaced the cap and rotor, pickup inside, plug wires, spark plugs myself. My mechanic did the ignition timing, he never mentioned anything.

Can you guys explain what needs to be done? Just want to make sure I understand fully.

[rlux4]

It looks like Mark is right again. The orientation is good for the body of the dist. but the gear is not lined up correctly. The easiest way to correct this is to pull the dist. and reinsert the shaft in correct orrientation. There should be a mark at the base of your dist. body for #4 spark plug contact point. If not, put a mark there yourself. Then reinsert the dist. starting with the shaft a few degrees counter clockwise from where you want it to end up. You'll see that as you push the dist. down the rotor will move clockwise, hopefully into the correct position. If not, pull it back up and change how much you're starting out counter clockwise. Once it's in correct orientation, change the wires into their correct postitions. You'll no doubt have to retime the ignition when you get it back together with the wires in the correct positions.
Ron

[divace73]

don't forget to have the timing of the engine set up correclty first before pulling the dizzy out..

[Fiat88]

How much is this hurting my performance?