[TR] What time is your distributor?

[Peter C]

Paul,
         On a TR3/4 cap, the low tension lead cutout is directly 
opposite from the coil wire lead.
         If you use a Sprite or Midget distributor cap, the low 
tension cutout is 90 degrees counterclockwise. Otherwise, the 2 caps 
interchange, but can cause some confusion.

         Peter C.
=====
At 03:30 PM 12/5/2007, Paul Dorsey wrote:

>I am still several weeks away from starting my TR3's engine (it came from a
>TR4).  I know there is a typical and simple way to figure out when TDC (top
>dead center) occurs.   I also know how this is done.   However, just based on
>replies to this post, I wish to see where on the distributor and cap, and
>orientation of cap does firing of cylinder No. #1 supposedly occur.  The
>reason is that I've been told that my cap's orientation is 45 degrees 'turned'
>from most folks.  So, please bear with me.......
>       Please don't answer these questions if your car is not 
> properly timed...
>
>(1)   Do you have 2138cc's as opposed to the earlier 1991cc's?
>(2)   Do you know if it is a DM2 distributor?
>
>If one stands on the left side of the car, with the bonnet open, and stands
>directly over the distributor,
>(3)   where is the the cap's no.# 1 wire? (What position on a clock dial?)
>(4)   What direction does the vacuum advance point?
>(5)   What position is the little wire enter the dist. that comes from the
>coil and goes to the points at?
>(6)   With the cap still on, and hoping that it is a British Style cap (2
>lower, 2 upper wire cap), which direction does the cap point (because of cap's
>top coil wire)?
>
>I will summarize these answers in a soon-to-be post.  Watch for it....
>Thanks,
>Paul Dorsey, '60 TR3 ( with a TR4 engine)  CTsomething or another