I just replace my distributor on my d16z6 and I lined it up with how the old one came out and upon the first cranking it would fall on its face and almost looked like it was missing and then smooth back out. It did this about 8 times and then idled fine for a good 20-30 minutes. I revved it up and still seemed to be fine. This was all at idle I haven't driven the car yet. Is this normal? Maybe the computer was relearning or something? Just want to make sure I don't need to worrie about anything. Thanks.

 

Did you redo the ignition timing or did you make marks when you removed it for reassembly ?

 

Every distributor is different, and timing must be set. You cannot blindly install one in the same position, because the clocking of the sensor pickups will vary, and in some cases, are no where near where they should be. I've installed 3 or 4 distributors from ebay where the sensor alignment was off so much, that the engine would ping just off idle, and the TDC plate was 10-20 degrees off. (Not field adjustable without an oscilloscope.)

Cold vs hot should yield trouble if your timing is off. An engine will naturally run better when warm, and you may think the distributor is not at fault here.

In the end, adjust the ignition timing and see where that gets you. A simple check with a light is better than an engine that knocks.

 

Okay thanks I'll do that then. I was reading in a repair manual a friend gave me about setting the timing and it says something about jumping two wires in the passenger kick panel and the only wires I see are the two that you jump to get the ecu codes and a three wire plug and it says in the book not to jump a 3 wire plug so how should I do it? Car came stock with d15 but previouse owner swapped to d16 and didn't swap harness.

 

Bump need help

 

You must warm the car, and jump the two pin SCS connector on the passenger side to set the timing. Then use a timing light and fire the light over the timing sights on the timing cover. There should be a a set of marks on the crank pulley, red for TDC, and while for ignition timing advance. Use the white mark. If you can gain access to a manual or service information on here, that will help, there are tons of articles on setting base timing.