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Holden Commodore How-To's Ever wondered how-to replace everyday parts on your Commodore and save hundreds in labour costs? Look inside if your keen.

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  #1  
Old 28-10-2007, 12:31 PM
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Post 5L EFI - changing the distributor cap and rotor

You'll probably want to do this the first time you change your plugs and leads, there's significant HP recovery that can occur if your old parts are worn out. Also, it seems it might be worth the effort of changing to a fresh coil at the same time (thanks Reaper)

================================================== ===========================
================================================== ===========================
Thanks to whiteknightVR94, here`s some tech info for the 5.0L.

Firing order: 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3
Spark plug gap: VR/VS, 0.8mm - 0.9mm. VN,VP,VQ 0.95mm - 1.05mm
Spark plug type: AC R42LTS (geuine holden) although they use Nipon for all EFI commodores now
Ignition timing: 10 degrees B.T.D.C

================================================== ===========================
================================================== ===========================

I had a much more detailed write-up but the bloody thing crashed on me right as I was about to submit it .. **rage** I very nearly didn't bother doing another one, but since I'm a nice person, here we go!

You'll need:
- new dizzy cap
- new rotor
- screwdriver
- sandpaper
- hammer and a foot or so bit of wood to tap something with (I used 2 hammers )
- whiteout or black marker - depending what colour your leads are


1. Number all your leads. Write each number twice in case one rubs off. It doesn't matter how you number them as long as you can remember. Take a photo if you have to, you don't want to put your leads back the wrong way around. Remove your numbered leads and stash them off to the sides out of the way.

2. Undo the 2 clips (same as the ones on your factory airbox) holding the distributor cap on. One of mine was stuck, hence the screwdriver

3. Remove the dizzy cap - you'll need to pull the hoses out of the way, it's tricky to get out.

4. Pull the rotor button off, if it's tight just pull harder and wiggle it around if you have to.

5. Sand back the opposite side of the shaft to the cutout, this is where the metal contact will be. Only really necessary if it's rusty, like mine was, you could probably get away without doing it at all, really. I just did it because it seemed..... better.

6. Instal your new rotor button, taking care to line up the cutout in the metal shaft. Use your hammer and bit of wood to give it a gentle tap once you're sure it's lined up OK. Don't have to tap it if you don't want to, I just wanted to make sure it seated right.

7. Instal your new distributor cap. The metal clip locations will give you the 2 ways this could go on, only one way actually works. Try each of the 2, twisting it around to see if it locks in.

8. Clip the cap into place. If the clips don't engage, your cap isn't located properly - try step 7 again. If that doesn't work, try taking the rotor off and doing that step again.

9. Replace all your numbered leads, ensuring they go on the same way as they came off, or your engine will hurt badly when you start it up.

10. Have a look at the poor condition of the old parts and be happy that you've done this job.

11. Fire up the motor, listen to the smoothness. Enjoy knowing that you've restored a few lost HP, or that your efficiency will now be that tiny bit better, whichever you prefer.


I noticed the difference immediately, the straight-cut timing gears on my 5L made it very obvious when the idle RPM fluctuated.... not any more It runs much smoother now.


Hope this helped some people

Sam
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Last edited by savage1987; 04-03-2008 at 10:17 PM.
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  #2  
Old 02-03-2008, 04:42 PM
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i hate doing these, have you ever had to rermove the coil, only to get it bak together, only to find out that the old coil is fine, and that you have to do it all over again.
I wouldnt bother sanding the shaft back, unless you have compressed air handy, otherwise you will end up with all the **** you sand off winding up in the dissy/CAS, and no 2, you shouldnt need wood to bash the rotor back on, it just pushes on, no large amounts of force neccesary at ll
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  #3  
Old 03-03-2008, 09:02 PM
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Never played with a coil .. yet. I just did the sanding gently, just enough to get the surface rust off, made me feel better somehow and yeah good point about the rotor, it was more like a couple of gentle taps to make doubly sure it seated properly.

Thanks
Sam
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  #4  
Old 03-03-2008, 09:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bilbs View Post
i hate doing these, have you ever had to rermove the coil, only to get it bak together, only to find out that the old coil is fine, and that you have to do it all over again.
I wouldnt bother sanding the shaft back, unless you have compressed air handy, otherwise you will end up with all the **** you sand off winding up in the dissy/CAS, and no 2, you shouldnt need wood to bash the rotor back on, it just pushes on, no large amounts of force neccesary at ll
They couldent have picked a worse spot for the dizzy. You should also replace your leads and plugs. Also here`s some tech info for the 5.0L.

Firing order. 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3
Spark plug gap. VR/VS, 0.8mm - 0.9mm. VN,VP,VQ 0.95mm - 1.05mm
Spark plug type. AC R42LTS (geuine holden) Though they use Nipon now for all EFI commodores now (I have them in my car, there a great plug. made in japan=quality)
Ignition timing. 10 degrees B.T.D.C
Ok you don`t really need to take a photo just do this.
Stand at the front of your car and look at the motor the No 1 cylinder position on the cap is the one that would be N,NE ( NORTH, NORTH EAST) if you were to look at the cap as a compass *8* POINTS. then just go clockwise 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3.
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  #5  
Old 03-03-2008, 10:27 PM
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Thanks mate, added a bit into the original post there
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  #6  
Old 04-03-2008, 06:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by savage1987 View Post
Never played with a coil .. yet. I just did the sanding gently, just enough to get the surface rust off, made me feel better somehow and yeah good point about the rotor, it was more like a couple of gentle taps to make doubly sure it seated properly.

Thanks
Sam
If your coil is old (and it probably is) a new one can be the goods. I found .2 0-100km/h on the Gtech by simply changing the coil. The motor never missed or anything with the old one but the new one kicks arse.

Reaper
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  #7  
Old 04-03-2008, 10:11 PM
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OK. So it is the coil that I need to buy? I made 200rwhp with my current setup (internally standard motor) so everything seems pretty good, however if the coil doesn't cost too much I'll have to swap for a new one. Aftermarket (MSD or similar) or standard?
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  #8  
Old 04-03-2008, 11:16 PM
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Sticking with the 5lita..
 

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Always glad to help and B helped
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  #9  
Old 22-06-2008, 02:31 PM
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Bump for an old thread, because this how-to is brilliant

I'm just about to pop downstairs and do this myself! I'll let you know how it goes.

You're a legend Savage
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  #10  
Old 22-06-2008, 07:54 PM
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Thanks mate, I needed some good news.. obliterated some suspension in a burnout comp yesterday.. got a bit of stuff to replace now :s

Anyway glad to be of help mate have fun!
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  #11  
Old 24-06-2008, 04:44 PM
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Ahhh mate, you're a legend. Excluding the time taken to change over the spark plugs, the job (new leads, rotor button, dizzy cap) only probably took me half an hour all up.

Car goes like a demon too, now. Old rotor button and leads were shagged.

edit: your screwdriver trick was win. I would have HATED to have to get down from the engine to get my flathead after I spent five minutes trying to get comfortable but no, I had the flathead sitting there, ready to go!

What did you do to the suspension you goose? :P
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  #12  
Old 24-06-2008, 09:49 PM
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haha trust me mate, working at a wrecker I know exactly what you mean about just getting comfy and then having to go get things... I'm glad it helped you out

Took a hit to the front right guard with the wheels locked left while leaving the burnout pad.. sideways. My steering rack, RHS lower control arm, RHS z-bar, front sway bar and links, RH front guard and some bumper locators need replacing. Possibly also the strut, not sure. The wheel has moved back so it's almost touching the rear of the inner guard and the steering toes out a fair bit and pulls left.

Should have it all cleared up in a few days and the car will be ready for paint within a month I guess...

Sam
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