Rotor Phasing

There is 2 ways to check rotor phasing.

The first is to put a timing light on your engine on number 1 cylinder. Check the timing. (Let’s say the timing reads 35*). Turn off your engine. Then put a ratchet and socket on the balancer bolt and turn your engine over by hand until the timing pointer is at 35* on your balancer. VERY IMPORTANT: make sure your are on the FIRING stroke of number 1 when you do this. To double check you are on the FIRING stroke. Remove your valve cover and make sure BOTH valves are closed on number 1 cylinder. You should be able to move both rocker arms. If you CAN NOT move either rocker arm you are NOT on the firing stroke. Keep turning the engine over by hand until the next time you see 35* and recheck the rocker arms to make sure they are both loose. Next, find the number 1 spark plug wire on your distributor cap. If you look closely you will see a small hole we drilled in the cap. This is so you can see the rotor. The rotor should be PERFECTLEY in line with the terminal on your distributor cap. You may have to remove a wire or two from your cap in order to see down the hole. Take your time and ALWAYS put the wires back from the terminal you removed them from. If your rotor is not in line with the terminal loosed the dist. Hold down clamp and twist the distributor until the rotor is in line. TAKE YOUR TIME and always double check yourself. Tighten down your distributor and RE-CHECK the rotor. Make sure and re-tighten valve cover (if you removed) then put all your wires back on and re-start your engine and re-check the timing. NOTE: Moving the Distributor with a Crank Trigger System DOES NOT change your timing!

The second way to check rotor phasing is if your Terminator came with an MSD distributor and has a plug coming from your distributor. First start your engine and take a timing reading off number 1 cylinder. (Let’s say the timing reads 35*.) Now, unplug the wire from your ignition box to your crank trigger magnet, and then plug this wire into your distributor.
By doing this we have eliminated the crank trigger magnet to check phasing. Re-start your engine and make sure the timing reads 35*. If the reading is not the same loosed the distributor and adjust to 35*. Tighten Distributor and double check to make sure nothing has changed. VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure and unplug the connector from your distributor and plug back in your crank trigger magnet. Double check ALL your wires and then re-start your engine and make sure all cylinders are firing.

NOTE: In the above examples we used 35* timing to describe things. THIS IS NOT YOUR TIMING NUMBER! Always refer to the tag on your engine for timing base line figure. Call us if you have any questions or problems.