[Roadsters] It won't start....

[Gary and Cindy Ault]

Eddie,

1.  Yes.
2.  Don't know about an H20.  On the R16 there is a raised "line" cast into 
the timing case; on the U20, there is a pointer cast into the timing case 
cover.
3.  At the Number One terminal on the distributor, yes.
4.  Yes.  Opening the points is what causes the spark.

That said, in a stock configuration. Number One terminal on the distributor 
is at about the 10 o'clock position when viewed from the passenger side. 
The rotor turns counter-clockwise, one-quarter turn per half a crankshaft 
revolution.  The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

As Gordon pointed out, if the distributor drive gear is installed 180 
degrees out of phase, or if the cam in the distributor is 180 degrees out of 
phase, the car will not fire.  If this is the case, swap the 1 and 4 plug 
wires, and the 3 and 2 plug wires, and the engine should fire.  The U20 
distributor has two different-size advance springs (in non-smog 
configuration).  The heaver spring with the squared-off end connects to the 
distributor weight whose pin does into the longer slot in the cam.  I have 
no idea what an R16 or H20 distributor spring arrangement looks like, and 
the Nissan shop manual doesn't show the R16 arrangement as it does the U20 
arrangement.

I hope that helps.

Gary

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eddie" <eddietude at socal.rr.com>
To: "Datsun Roadster List" <datsun-roadsters at autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 8:51 PM
Subject: [Roadsters] It won't start....


> Ok, so it's wired up, the starter turns, fuel is at the carbs, I have 
> spark at the distributor, but the car won't start.
> I've got a couple of questions that the darn manual isn't clear about.
>
> My car is a 1966, the motor is an H20 1600.
> 1) Is TDC the large mark on the pulley?  (When viewed from the front, with 
> the pulley set with the marks on top, the other marks would be to the 
> right of the largest mark.)
>
> 2) Is the "pointer" the line that's part of the timing chain cover?
> 3) When the car is set at TDC, should the rotor be pointed at the #1 
> cylinder?
>
> 4) At that position, should the points be open?
>
> Thanks guys.  This is driving me NUTS.  I'm literally steps away from 
> getting the car to go to Solvang, but at this pace it may not happen...
>
> Eddie
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