Replacing a distributor cap

[Mike A]

Hello,
Can anyone please give me step by step instructions on how to replace my distributor cap? How do I get to it and what do I need to remove?
Thank you.
Mike

[Chris 16409]

Removing the intake manifold gives the best access. If you need assistance with that, a how to has been posted.

[Mike A]

Thank you. I am going to try over the weekend.

[Chris4099]

Removing the whole intake works, but is very labor intensive. What I did was remove the W pipe and the two bolts for the air meter brackets. Next pull out the pipe that's on the back of the idle speed motor (also called the pipe of agony). Finally disconnect the throttle linkage between the spool and the butterfly valves (don't lose the tiny clip that holds the linkage to the ball socket). Now you can lift and move forward the whole air meter/fuel distributor assembly a few inches up/forward and get to the distributor without having to remove the intake.

When it comes to reinstalling, here's a quick tip to help turn the "pipe of agony" into the "pipe of minor discomfort". Place a bright light on the left side of the engine pointing inwards (near where the pipe goes). Now press the air meter flap all the way down. You should see the light shining in a little bit (if not, reposition the light until you do). You can now take the pipe (with a bit of grease smeared around it) and position it near the hole. Seeing the light shine through will help you realize when you are close and guide you in.

Good luck!

[DeloreanJoshQ]

I just did this a week ago and didn't have to remove any major items.
I learned a trick from a fellow DCOer.

Remove the two allen head bolts on top of the intake that hold the hangers to the fuel distributor at the back. Gently wedge them up with some wood shims against the intake on both sides as high up as it will allow you so you free up room underneath above the cap and wires.
You will also need to remove some vacuum hoses and electrical connections before pulling the distributor cap off; take careful note of the connections. Of course you need to pull the plug wires from the spark plugs and fish them through to the back.

You can feel for the distributor cap clips by hand and if needed also use a short stubby flathead screwdriver to gently pop them off by leveraging it underneath "in the bend". Be careful, I broke one due to it being rusty. You also need to be patient and use a steady hand with the small space you have.

Then leave the distributor wires on the cap and slowly and gently work the cap under and around towards the driver side of the engine and out the cap and wires will come. Be sure to remember how the cap sits back in, there is an alignment notch on the inside of the cap that points towards the driver side where the clip pops on. Also, make sure the dust shield is seated properly. Don't forget to replace the rotor while you're in there.

If it doesn't work for you, try the other way.

[Mike A]

Thank you to everyone that has given me input on the best way to do this. JoshQ's way seems to be the simplest. I plan on starting this weekend it my parts arrive before then. I will let you know which way worked the best for me.
Thanks again.
Mike

[Nicholas R]

Honestly, I say do yourself a favor and take it down to the valley. It's a pain in the ass to have to feel around and try to do this job barely being able to see and reach what you're actually working on. In both cases listed above, if you're going to go to the trouble to remove or relocate the top of the intake, you might as well go the extra step to removing the whole thing. There's only 4 bolts holding the lower intake manifold on (plus the 1 or 2 holding the throttle spool on) and once it's free, you have totally unobstructed access to the distributor. Removing the intake manifold is totally straight forward; no tricks, no headaches, nothing. Only difference is about 3 extra minutes.

I say do yourself a favor and save yourself the headache of trying to route wires, feel for clips, etc. I think people sometimes make too big of a deal out of taking an engine down to the valley. It's probably because we've nicknamed it the valley of death, therefore no one wants to go down to it. I think we should rename it to the "valley of less than 10 minutes and your there".

[stevedmc]

Valley of 3 Minutes 18 Seconds?

Of course there's no reason to spend even that little bit of time because the distributor cap is totally exposed. Just pop it off and install the new one.

[Nicholas R]

Valley of 3 Minutes 18 Seconds?

Of course there's no reason to spend even that little bit of time because the distributor cap is totally exposed. Just pop it off and install the new one.

2 can play at that game :wink:

Valley of..."wait there's nothing under this intake but 2 knock sensors..."

Of course there's no reason to spend any time trying to replace the distributor cap because there is no distributor in the first place! Just solid state computer controlled coil packs!:biggrin:

[stevedmc]

2 can play at that game :wink:

Valley of..."wait there's nothing under this intake but 2 knock sensors..."

Of course there's no reason to spend any time trying to replace the distributor cap because there is no distributor in the first place! Just solid state computer controlled coil packs!:biggrin:

Amen. Nick's car is awesome. If you have the money and a few months on your hands I highly suggest you ditch your wimpy little PRV for an LS1 engine. If I wasn't poor white trash I'd really consider an engine swap.

[Mike A]

Well, I finally got around to replacing the distributor cap. I found it best to remove the manifold. I tried the other ways, but could not get to it.

[krs09]

Well, I finally got around to replacing the distributor cap. I found it best to remove the manifold. I tried the other ways, but could not get to it.

Hey Mike, around where are ya in Philly. Im around the Northeast.

[kings1527]

I'm a little late to this party but I did develop a blog that deals directly with cap, wires, plugs, etc.

http://delorean6575revisited.blogspot.com/2012/11/replacing-spark-plugs-spark-plug-wires.html

Feel free to peruse around. I'm trying to show step-by-step instructions on how to do a ton of work on the car for weekend hacks, such as myself! I'm going to put another post up on the main section letting people know about it.

Let me know if you have any suggestions and I'll update it!

Alex
6575