Okay, I'm a radiator away from starting my new 22re (it started raining) and honestly, I'm terrified to do it. It would be a miracle if nothing leaks, although I've checked, doubled checked, and redone some RTV along the way to get my chances up. One thing I'm not totally sure of is where to drop in the distributor. The FSM has you setting the crank to 5 degrees 6TDC. Not sure what the six means. Anyways, my crank is set to TDC, like it came from the engine builder. So, if I was dropping my dizzy in at TDC should the rotor be getting ready to strike the no. 1 cylinder, or right at 1?
Moment of truth coming, installing dizzy on 22re
- Thread starter ozzyleven
- Start date
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Set the crank to TDC, make sure the #1 piston is at TDC and not BDC. If the rocker arms for the #1 cyl are loose then the piston is at TDC. Then install the distributor with the rotor straight up. That should put the rotor pointing towards the 1:00-1:30 position. That will get you in the ball park to set the ignition timing with the timing light.
Hyde802
New member
This. Haha. Get in turn the key..take a big breath... . all the lights turn on !!!!.......and then you turn the key the rest of the way and hope it starts!! Its pretty thrilling. Haha Good Luck! Have some take a video.
Here was my first one, It was all together but it didnt run, so we tore the front off to find out we had timing issues. So we were testing before we put it back together again... :
100 0084 - YouTube
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I don't remember off the top of my head which way the distributor turns when installed but it's irrelevant. Just make sure the #1 piston is at TDC and then install the distributor with the rotor facing north.
Clone of the Mean
New member
Just make sure the rotor is pointing towards the no.1 position on the cap. It should have a reference mark on it. If things are lined up the way they should be the rest will all fall into place.
It runs! Not too good yet but it's getting there. Had to shut her down because of the massive amounts of exhaust coming off the downpipe. Suspecting the bolts were not tight enough. I'm on break letting it cool before I go down there. I'll post some pictures and maybe video later. I'm damn proud of this. By far the most involved wrenching I've ever done.
Got it timed and now it's throwing a code 12. Distributor/ignition problem. Soooo... Where do I start on that onee? Also I have a major sqeal coming from one of the accessories. Check everything over for tightness and found nothing wrong. Just a theory, but could the fact that I painted some of my pulleys be causing that?
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Cleared the code and it didn't come back after driving for about 50 miles, so I guess its good for now. My power steering pump is what is squealing. It did it every once in a while before, so I guess its finally going to go bad. Anyways, here is my pride and joy. Sunwest Engine with new head casting, RV cam (I can't tell the difference) and a paint job that got a little out of hand. Not a single leak that I've seen either! Its too bad the air tube covers up all my sweet blue pulleys. Wish everything was cleaner and that I could afford new hoses all around, but that will come with time after my wallet recuperates. I also need to order a 22re sticker because it just doesn't look right without it. Thanks everyone who answered any of my questions. A lot of it was really helpful.
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