Installation Procedure 2

IMPORTANT: Rotate the number 1 cylinder to top dead center (TDC) of the compression stroke. The engine front cover has 2 alignment tabs and the crankshaft balancer has 2 alignment marks spaced 90 degrees apart which are used for positioning the number 1 piston at TDC. With the piston on the compression stroke and at TDC, the crankshaft balancer alignment mark (1) must align with the engine front cover tab (2) and the crankshaft balancer alignment mark (4) must align with the engine front cover tab (3).

Rotate the crankshaft balancer clockwise until the alignment marks on the crankshaft balancer are aligned with the tabs on the engine front cover and the number 1 piston is at TDC of the compression stroke.

Fig 1: View Of Crankshaft Balancer Alignment Mark & Engine Front Cover Alignment Tab

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Align the white paint mark on the bottom stem of the distributor and the pre-drilled indent hole in the bottom of the gear (3).

Fig 2: Aligning Indent Hole & Locating Mark
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NOTE:
The ignition system distributor driven gear and rotor may be installed in multiple positions. In order to avoid mistakes, mark the distributor on the following components in order to ensure the same mounting position upon reassembly:
- The distributor driven gear
- The distributor shaft
- The rotor holes
Installing the driven gear 180 degrees out of alignment, or locating the rotor in the wrong holes, will cause a no-start condition. Premature engine wear or damage may result.
With the gear in this position, the rotor segment should be positioned as shown for a V6 engine (1).
- The alignment will not be exact.
- If the driven gear is installed incorrectly, the dimple will be approximately 180 degrees opposite of the rotor segment when installed in the distributor.
Use a long screw driver in order to align the oil pump drive shaft to the drive tab of the distributor.
Guide the distributor into the engine.
Ensure the flat portion of the distributor housing is facing toward the front of the engine.

Fig 3: View Of Distributor
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Once the distributor is fully seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with the pointer cast into the distributor base.
If the rotor segment does not come within a few degrees of the pointer, repeat the procedure in order to achieve the proper alignment.

Fig 4: Identifying Pointer On Distributor Base
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NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE in Cautions and Notices.
Install the distributor mounting clamp bolt.
Tighten: Tighten the bolt to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).

Fig 5: View Of Distributor Mounting Clamp Bolt
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Install the distributor cap.
Install the new distributor cap screws.
Tighten: Tighten the screws to 2.4 N.m (21 lb in).

Fig 6: View Of Distributor Cap
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Install the electrical connector to the distributor.
Install the spark plug wires to the distributor cap.
Install the ignition coil wire. Note the correct orientation of the wire boot.

Fig 7: View Of Ignition Coil Wire Harness
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IMPORTANT: If the malfunction indicator lamp illuminates after installing the distributor and DTC P1345 is set, the distributor has been installed incorrectly.
Repeat Installation Procedure 2 if the malfunction indicator lamp illuminates after installing the distributor.
Install the engine cover. Refer to Engine Cover Replacement in Interior Trim.