Distributor

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Rotary Engine

The distributor is located on the right front side of the engine. In contrast to earlier rotary engines from Mazda, this uses only one distributor, not two.

1. Open the hood and locate the distributor.
2. Remove the distributor cap.
3. Disconnect the vacuum tube from the advance unit.
4. Disconnect the primary wires from the distributor.
5. Matchmark the distributor body in relation to the engine front housing.
6. Remove the distributor hold-down bolt.
7. Pull the distributor from the front cover.
8. Turn the eccentric shaft until the TDC mark on the drive pulley aligns with the indicator pin on the front cover.
9. Align the matchmarks on the distributor housing and drive gear.
10. Install the distributor so that the distributor lockbolt is located in the center of the slot. Engage the gears.
11. Rotate the distributor clockwise until the leading contact point set starts to separate, and tighten the distributor lockbolt.
12. Install the distributor cap and connect the primary wires.
13. Set the ignition timing.
14. Connect the vacuum tube to the vacuum unit on the distributor.

Piston Engine

1972–84 VEHICLES

1. Matchmark the distributor cap and the body of the distributor. Remove the distributor cap.
2. Disconnect the vacuum hose from the diaphragm.
3. Scribe matchmarks on the distributor body and the cylinder block to indicate the relative positions.
4. Scribe another mark on the distributor body indicating the position of the rotor.
5. Disconnect the primary wires from the distributor.
6. Remove the distributor hold-down nut, lockwasher and flat washer.
7. Remove the distributor from the engine.

   NOTE: Do not crank the engine while the distributor is removed.

8. Align the matchmarks on the distributor gear and body.
9. If the engine was cranked while the distributor was removed, turn the crankshaft until the No. 1 cylinder is at the top of the compression stroke. This can be determined by feeling compression with your thumb over the spark plug port. The painted mark (5°BTDC or 8°BTDC) mark on the crankshaft pulley should also be aligned with the timing pointer. Slide the distributor into the engine with the rotor pointing to the No. 1 cylinder firing position. See the Firing Orders in Section 2.
10. Lubricate the O-ring with clean engine oil. If the engine has not been cranked while the distributor was removed, slide the distributor (with the O-ring) into the engine, aligning the matchmarks made during removal.
11. Install the flat washer, lockwasher and hold-down nut.
12. Install the distributor cap and connect the primary wires.
13. Set the ignition timing, and tighten the hold-down nut.
14. Connect the vacuum line.

1986 VEHICLES

1. Disconnect the spark plug wires from the distributor cap and route them off to the side and out of the way.
2. Disconnect the vacuum hoses and wiring.
3. Rotate the engine with a socket wrench on the pulley until the number one piston is at top dead center.
4. Loosen the lockbolts and remove the distributor.
5. Remove the O-ring from the coupling shaft and purchase a new one.

   NOTE: Make sure that the number one piston is at top dead center before installing the distributor.

6. Install a new O-ring onto the coupling shaft and apply a coat of clean engine oil to the O-ring to the driven gear.
7. Align the dimple on the distributor drive gear with the mark cast into the base of the distributor body by rotating the shaft.
8. Install the distributor and reconnect the wiring connector, vacuum hose(s) and spark plug wires.
9. Set the ignition timing.