Can A Dummy Install a Distributor?

[cj]

Is this something a real rookie should do?  I'm thinking if it's already 'broke' I can't break it but experience tells me that it could be possible to break other things in the process.

I have read the directions in the service manual and it seems simple, but they sometimes assume you know things that I may not.  I don't remember all the details but my understanding is that the housing needs to be marked when you remove the old one (not sure where) and that if you don't crank the engine after removal you don't need to be sticking your finger in #1 cylinder to find tdc (not sure about how you do that either)
I don't post a lot here (don't really have a lot of knowlege to offer) but i read a lot and I am trying to learn to do as much as I can myself.

Probably a really dumb question to most of you, but...baby steps.  Any advice would be appreciated.

[Chryco Psycho]

just pull #1 plug & short the starter relay until you feel pressure out the plug hole & line up the TDC marks on the damper , drop in the dist & then install the wire to #1 cylinder where the rotor is pointed , you need to advance the dist slightly from wher ethe reluctor lines up with the pick up coil

[Bullitt-]

   ASSUMING your current distributor is in correctly (the car starts) then mark where the rotor points & reinstall the new one the same.
   You will need to adjust timing for accuracy/best performance.

[CUDA JAS]

It is farily easy to do...but can be doen incorreclty.

Where in Ontario are you?

[72 cuda]

Yes, I have done this numerous times and I am a novice

What I think chryco was saying was, if you leave the car switched off so not to accidentally get the car to fire.

Go to the fire wall seliniod and cross the poles with a screw driver(there are 4 poles)battery in-battery out to the starter, and 2 small poles one marked (S) start and one marked (I) ignition.

If you cross 2 of these poles (the one marked (S) and the battery in wire) the car motor should turn over.
with out trying to run.

Bump the motor over until the loudest air release (be careful not to confuse the compression stroke with the exhaust stroke)

Pull of the rotor cap and look to see where the rotor button is pointing.
Take note of this so as to replace it exactly in the same position.

Is this right guys?

Mark

[cj]

   ASSUMING your current distributor is in correctly (the car starts) then mark where the rotor points & reinstall the new one the same.
   You will need to adjust timing for accuracy/best performance.

Right now the car doesn't start, no spark.  Ran great one day, next day nothing.  Earlier this summer the same thing happened and the guy who worked on it got it going using a part off an old distributor and a drill?  He said I should get a new distributor.  I didn't bother cause it was running fine. 

Can I assume the distributor is in correctly if it's been in the car running for the last 3 years?

I would need a timing light to adjust the timing, right?

CudaJas...I'm in Chatham.   Can I do any major damage if I install incorrectly?

[Bullitt-]

Can I assume the distributor is in correctly if it's been in the car running for the last 3 years?

I would need a timing light to adjust the timing, right?

   Very good chance that it's in right....a timing light can be useful... Ace Mechanic CP does it by ear, plenty of posts on the subject if you do a search.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Right now the car doesn't start, no spark.  Ran great one day, next day nothing.  Earlier this summer the same thing happened and the guy who worked on it got it going using a part off an old distributor and a drill?  He said I should get a new distributor.  I didn't bother cause it was running fine. 

Can I assume the distributor is in correctly if it's been in the car running for the last 3 years?

I would need a timing light to adjust the timing, right?

CudaJas...I'm in Chatham.   Can I do any major damage if I install incorrectly?

First off, a no spark situation has a better more known list of suspects than the distributor. Do you have a stock Mopar ignition system? The ballast resistor is known to go, and is an easy fix. Also the ignition coil or ignition module might have gone up on you.

If you do replace the distributor, I did what Bullitt- mentioned. I put the new one in the same position as the one I took out. You will need to set the reluctor gap to .08 mils. That is located under the rotor. If you should happen to install the distributor wrong, you will still be in the same non-start situation you are in now. It's just that your spark plugs will be firing at the wrong time, and the poor engine will never get going. You won't hurt anything but it's feelings.   

[hooD]

this will give you an idea where to place the distributor for initial timing.

[cj]

Thanks for the advice guys, really appreciate it!  I am a rookie trying to learn.
I'm not really sure the distributor is the problem right now, but because the guy who fixed it last time said I should replace it I am now going to.
Tried the ballast resistor.  Both cars always have one in the glove box.  The coil was replaced a couple of months ago because I snapped a stud hooking up the tack.   
I went thru the ignition system tests in the service manual.  If I'm using my multimeter right it seems to be pointing to the distributor.
Tomorrow I will have a new distributor, coil, ecu, timing light and torque wrench.  I figure with 2 old mopars it wouldn't hurt to have some spare parts in the shop.
Any suggestions of things to check and how to check them are welcome.
Larry, thanks for the pic...are small blocks & big blocks the same? 

[72 cuda]

The advance position is opposite of each other BB clockwise
 SB counter clockwise
I think
Mark

[Bullitt-]

   Big block distributor turns the opposite way, is located on the front & is laid over....
 Did your issue come up after connecting the tachometer?... Read several cases where a tach was the cause of problems.

[cj]

No it didn't.  That was a couple months ago, tach didn't work so it's not hooked up.  I've got a lot of winter projects to do. 
Right now I just want to get it running.  Weather's still good and I like to start it a few times over the winter.

[brads70]

I'm thinking ECU?
 I took Moparal's advice and bought a re-manufactured ditributor at my local jobber. It was cheap, about $80( 440) Sure easier and cheaper than messing with old worn out junk!

[cj]

Tomorrow I will have a coil, ecu and distributor.  Think I'll go thru 1 at a time starting with the coil.  In the end I want to replace the dist anyways even if it is not the current problem.  Just hope I can get her going again.