Replacing Distributor Cap and RotorThe distributor cap is held in place with two spring clips which can be released using the blade of a screwdriver. Avoid bending the clips. To replace the cap remove the wires, then release the spring clips and remove the suppression shield. On all except 16-valve engines, simply pull the rotor off the shaft. When installing a new rotor, make sure that the key inside the rotor fits into the notch on the distributor shaft. On 16-valve engines, the rotor is more permanently attached to the shaft. To remove it, the lower part must be carefully crushed using a pair of pliers. Clean off all of the old adhesive. To install a new rotor, use an instant adhesive such as Loctite® 325 Speed Bonder. Make sure that the key inside the rotor fits into the notch on the distributor shaft.
Spark plug wires must be installed so that the spark plugs have the proper firing order. For all engines covered by this manual, the firing order is 1-3-4-2. Cylinder no. 1 is on the passenger side, closest to the camshaft drive belt. To find the no. 1 terminal on the distributor cap, remove the cap and find the no. 1 cylinder TDC mark on the edge of the distributor housing. See Fig. 5-4. The distributor cap terminal closest to this mark (with the cap installed) is the terminal for the no. 1 cylinder. On all except 16-valve engines, the wires connect to the distributor cap terminals according to the firing order (1-3-4-2), in clockwise direction from no. 1. On 16-valve engines, the wires connect to the distributor cap terminals according to the firing order (1-3-4-2), in counterclockwise direction from no. 1.
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