First - thanks to all for the great forums, I have replaced my front struts, f & r brakes, and the rear valve cover gasket, all with help from the users here !!! Will do the axle this weekend too.

I want to change the front valve cover gasket, but have noticed that I may have to unseat the distributor to do so. Any tips, as I don't have a timing light & am leary of messing the timing up.

Someone suggested marking the block w/a scribe and using fingernail polish to mark the rotor's spot under the dist-cap. Any other ideas or is there already a post for this. Can't search for it - no permissions, but remember the post regarding 'taking a photo' before doing the work.

Thanks in advance !!

 

you will have to remove the distributor in order to get to one phillip screw that is holding the front valve cover on. You do not need anything special, just use a permanent marker and draw around the washer that the bolt bolts onto to hold the distributor in place, then remove the distributor cap and mark where the rotor is facing, making sure your mark is approximately center to the distributor cap and then just remove the distributor assembly. The distributor is driven by gear, so when you install, just make sure that the rotor is facing the general area where you marked before, then the gear teeth will take care of the rest for you. Good luck.

 

couldn't have said it better.
i have to tackle this job again.

 

excellent - thanks ! will pro'lly hit it tomorrow (raining off & on today)