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MG TD TF 1500 - How can I find when #1 plug is firing?

Good day all
How can I tell when #1 plug is firing/about to fire? I removed the distributor today & now can't get the engine to start. Seems to me I remember TDC with #1 piston at the top. Any thoughts. As I've gotten older it seems I have CRS?
Thanks in advance John
John Hambleton

John the simple removal and re installion of the cap will not have changed anything related to timing. Only rotation of the distributor body or point adjustment would affect timing changes. Pull the cap back off and check that the rotor is still intact. Also check to see that the
W A Chasser

Remove #1 spark plug. Rotate the engine until that piston is at the top of its travel and both valves are closed. That is TDC. Install the distributor with the rotor pointing to the #1 plug terminal. That should be enough to get the car started. From there, simply set the timing as normal.
Steve Simmons

You may be able to watch the rockers through the oil fill hole. If not, pull the valve cover. Turn the engine over slowly. You should rotate 180 degrees (at the crank) after the #2 intake rocker has risen/closed. Having spent too much of my life trying to start engines 180 out, this is important! George
George Butz III

Like Steve, I remove No1 plug and then get someone else to slowly turn the engine with the crankhanle With you finger covering the plug hole wind will blow out as it comes up on the compression stroke,-stop cranking then with a screwdriver in the plughole slowly bring it up the rest of the way to the top
This will then be TDC on the firing stroke
Insert the dizzy and line the rotor up with No1 plug lead and continue on as Steve recomends
willy
William Revit

The next time � before you remove the distributor, take off the cap and take a photo of the position of the rotor. Gearbox in neutral and don't turn the engine while the distributor is out. Replace the distributor to match the position of the rotor in the photo.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

This thread was discussed between 08/02/2019 and 09/02/2019

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