trouble with distrubutor cap

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

Hello, having trouble replacing the distributor cap on my 280SE (M110)- although I'd not had any running problems I noticed cyl no. 1 mark on the distributor body was alligned with no. 2 on the cap, and the no. 1 cyl mark on the cap will not line up with the mark on the distributor body. I tried to swap the wires to correspond with the correct pattern, but the engine wouldn't start.
Got a new OEM dizzy cap and connected up the wires in the correct order, again it won't start.
Anyone know what's the problem?

 

[television]

Some one has taken out the disributor some time and put it back with the rotor in the wrong place, the chances are that it was a mistake, it does not make any differenc to the running. when do timing the books always tell you to bring the timing marks up with the rotor pointing to Number 1, don't worry about it.as long as the points are just on the point of opening when the crankshaft timing marks line up, its OK, much more accurate with a strobe

Malcolm

 

[Stevie A]

Is the engine starter motor turning the engine over when you try to start it?

If yes then go back to to square one and replace the cap and wires as per proper instructions from a Haynes manual or similar.

 

[Ultymate]

The problems not with the cap and leads someone, as Malcolm has already said, has had the distributor out of the engine and has replaced it with the rotor arm out of position and has overcome this by moving the leads round by one position each to correct the timing. Providing the timings electronically ok and your motors running ok you can leave as is or reposition the distributor drive if you're a stickler for correctness

 

[Stevie A]

The problems not with the cap and leads someone, as Malcolm has already said, has had the distributor out of the engine and has replaced it with the rotor arm out of position and has overcome this by moving the leads round by one position each to correct the timing. Providing the timings electronically ok and your motors running ok you can leave as is or reposition the distributor drive if you're a stickler for correctness

It would be far better to sort the thing properly though.

 

[television]

Its a very simple got to correct it, just withdraw the distributor, turn the engine so that the timmimg marks line up on the front flywheel damper, then insert the distributor so that the rotor is pointing to Number 1.

If you do not want to risk upsetting the timing and the car runs fine you could withdraw the distributor and re insert with the rotor pointing to number one.

malcolm