Merc Inline Distributor Cap Markings

[FZ1]

Quick question for those in the know. I cant seem to find the answer to this question in my manual. If you look inside the distributor cap on a '69 Merc 1000ss with Thunderbolt type 2 ignition (CDI but no points) one of the
terminals that the rotor contacts is marked with a 1. Is this supposed to be connected to the #1 spark plug lead? If so, mine is connected to #5!!!.

I seem to recall car distributor caps being marked back when cars had them

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Merc Inline Distributor Cap Markings

I have seen many distributor caps used on Mercury motors that have had markings that did not correspond, or had multiple firing orders marked.

So I don't know, but would imagine when #1 piston is at tdc and the flywheel marks indicate such, the rotor should point to the #1 spark plug's wire's terminal.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Merc Inline Distributor Cap Markings

 

[FZ1]

Re: Merc Inline Distributor Cap Markings

Excellent work as usual Laddies!. Except I'm still a little confused. I have 145236 firing order stamped on my block (1000ss Tiger block). But that sheet says firing order is consecutive like the v-6's are. My distributor cap is wired in 145236 order and it runs and idles, but has no power. Thats what my problem is. I just wanted to verify the #1 cylinder marking I had was right. I saw a #1 embossed on the inside of the cap that matched to my #5 plug wire.

I'm in the middle of carb cleaning/waiting on fuel pump rebuild kits/and redoing the link 'n sync. Carbs are spotless! timing seems to be right. I sure hope its the fuel pumps not being able to keep up over 1/4 throttle. I'm running out of ideas

 

[Laddies]

Re: Merc Inline Distributor Cap Markings

I have never seen a engine with the wrong firing order run smoothly so your firing order is probably right your 1000 should use the cap numbers that are in the boxes I believe. You are right in thinking hat slow timing can cause the problem. Start with checking the flywheel indexing to see if #1 is really #1, then the belt alignment next the the max spark advance, back it up about 3 to 4 degrees from specs.