I need to know rotor position #1 cylinder top dead center on a compression stroke. 318 v-8
alloro
10-19-2008, 07:52 PM
Looking straight down from the back of the motor...the 1 o'clock position.
zimarip
10-20-2008, 11:20 AM
my rotor position is pointing at two oclock how is this possible. looking down the back of the motor.
alloro
10-20-2008, 01:53 PM
It's possible someone removed the distributor drive gear at some point, then dropped it back in a few teeth off. The position of the rotor doesn't matter all that much as long as it is lining up with the correct spark tower at the correct time. You can literally take out the entire distributor, turn it, and drop it back in anywhere as long as the rotor, the housing, and the spark plug wires all still line up with each other appropriately. So if the rotor is at 2 o' clock instead of 1 o' clock, don't lose sleep over it.
zimarip
10-20-2008, 05:40 PM
starts good motor runs good in park put in forward or reverse and backfires. lacks power when trying to drive. could it be a bad cylinder or valve???have any ideas???has new plugs wires rotor cap
97B2500CCV
10-20-2008, 07:36 PM
Check your fuel pressure. Also check for vacuum leaks.
What year is your van and I or someone will lookup and post the fuel pressure requirements.
zimarip
10-20-2008, 08:18 PM
it is a 1995 doge ram conversion van
97B2500CCV
10-20-2008, 08:25 PM
On the 95 318 the fuel pressure should be 31 to 33 pounds.
alloro
10-20-2008, 11:22 PM
starts good motor runs good in park put in forward or reverse and backfires. lacks power when trying to drive.
On top of the other suggestions, a plugged catalytic converter, or exhaust in general, can cause this problem.
Dodgevanman
10-22-2008, 02:32 PM
BTW, do not turn the dist. The ECM controls spark advance so adjusting the timing isn't needed. If you suspect the dist. has been turned, bring the engine up to TDC on #1 cyl also making sure the rotor faces #1 cyl on the cap. There is a notch in the body of the dist. that rotor should line up with. Then lock the dist. down.
