Replacing valve cover gaskets

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ThomasK
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Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Coupe

Re: Replacing valve cover gaskets

Post by ThomasK »

Hi, no need to take the cap away although it is not difficult and to clean it from inside would not be a Bad Thing. But to your question: i think you have moved/turned the distributor unintended a bit and assembled it back in by 180 degrees turned. In the picture I marked blue the drive at the back of the Distributor. You can put this back in in two positions - I suppose you have done the wrong one. So get the Distributor out again, turn the blue marked Drive by 180 degrees and put it turn back in - my assumption is that then the Engine will start as then the Distributor sends the spark at the right time.
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DinoinATL
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Re: Replacing valve cover gaskets

Post by DinoinATL »

I turned the rotor 180 degrees and the car still won’t start.

I don’t know what else to try.

Any other suggestions?
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ThomasK
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Re: Replacing valve cover gaskets

Post by ThomasK »

Hmm, have you connected all cables? Also the small „ground“ cable from Distributor to ignition?
I would then Check if a spark is coming/reaching at the spark Plug.
DinoinATL
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Re: Replacing valve cover gaskets

Post by DinoinATL »

I got the car to start momentarily but the engine sounded off, there was a few pops when it started, it ran for about 45 seconds and then stalled. Couldn’t get it started again. Could I have flooded the carbs with all the attempts to start the car and constant tapping of the accelerator peddle? I’m on the verge of having it towed to my mechanic who has worked on the car in the past.
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ThomasK
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Re: Replacing valve cover gaskets

Post by ThomasK »

It could be that the timing/advance is Not set correct. Ist set by moving/turning the Distributor. Have you marked the Position of the Distributor related to the Engine/cam Cover and build it in as it was or checked/adjusted the timing/advance with a strobe light?
DinoinATL
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Re: Replacing valve cover gaskets

Post by DinoinATL »

I marked the distributor location against the camshaft as shown before I started the repair. I’ve moved the distributor a few degrees above that mark and a few degrees below that mark with no luck. See picture. How do I connect a strobe? Do I connect it to the first cylinder spark plug cable to see if the light pulses?
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DinoinATL
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Re: Replacing valve cover gaskets

Post by DinoinATL »

The distributor’s rotor has this odd thin metal sliver across the center nut, doesn’t look like it belongs. Any idea why it’s there?
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ThomasK
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Re: Replacing valve cover gaskets

Post by ThomasK »

It belongs there, its the security pin for the „castle nut“.
2dinos
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Re: Replacing valve cover gaskets

Post by 2dinos »

I.M.H.O. A must have is the Ferrari 246 book. It spells out Dino ignition. It is an interesting arrangement as far as timing, and has to be one of the easiest engine setups to goof. You have to study carefully what's going on, and then move deliberately and cautiously. The engineering for some reason has adopted to not time the motor from cylinder #1, but cylinder #3. Then the TDC position on the power stroke is not trivial to find with the cam covers on. Additionally, if piece #5 has been removed, that adds to the mix of timing positions.

The Ferrari 308 has two distributors (double the 'fun'), but has the oil fill cap placed to easily view the cylinder #1 TDC at power stroke. Additionally, its timing is from cylinder #1.

If it started and ran, you must be pretty close.
DinoinATL
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Re: Replacing valve cover gaskets

Post by DinoinATL »

Thank you to all of you for the guidance.

We discovered that the Marelli distributor was not properly grounded - on the outside of the distributor there is a small condenser / capacitor and there is a screw that connects to the car’s ground. If you don’t have the proper washer then you can short the capacitor and the car won’t start. Sometimes it’s the smallest thing!!!
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