MX-3.com

I'm not really sure what section this belongs in but I'm in the process of installing a distributor on my mazda mx3. We just put the new one back into the hole and it only goes in the the O-ring. I've searched for about 3 hours total and I cant find a guide on it! Could anybody please link me to a guide on a 1993 Mazda Mx-3 v6 1.8L distributor change? Thanks alot!

there is a slot in the end of the cam shaft that the disty fits into. if you look at the back of the disty you'll see the tab that fits into the cam. it only goes in ONE WAY.. so rotate it 180 and try again. it fits right into the slot.

Also, i just looked at your pictures on your other forum, i notices your #6 plug wire is not plugged in correctly. the metal contact is not in the distributor nipple. Did you notice that ? your car was running on 5 cylinders

It will go into about the o-ring and stop. I cant get it to slide in any further.. and if i rotate it 180 degrees, it wont go in at all.

What's the part number on your new disty?

KyleW wrote:It will go into about the o-ring and stop. I cant get it to slide in any further.. and if i rotate it 180 degrees, it wont go in at all.

Did you notice what i pointed out about your plug wire. they may have been your problem all along. did the car run but run like **** ?

JWMX3 wrote:

KyleW wrote:It will go into about the o-ring and stop. I cant get it to slide in any further.. and if i rotate it 180 degrees, it wont go in at all.

Did you notice what i pointed out about your plug wire. they may have been your problem all along. did the car run but run like **** ?

thats not mine. was taken from this site as an info resource and i didnt study it close enough

Hey butt head, if you want help have the courtesy to answer our questions. I don't like wasting my time even when I have the solution to your problem.

Daninski wrote:Hey butt head, if you want help have the courtesy to answer our questions. I don't like wasting my time even when I have the solution to your problem.

I'm not near the car right now, I'll go check tomorrow. It's too dark now anyway. Could you just post the solution regardless? I'll cross reference in the morning.

Compare the shaft size on your new one to the old one.

Did that, they are the same size. There is about 3mm still not in.

Do I just put the bolts on and tighten and hopefully the o-ring pops in or what?

Sorry if they seem like dumb questions, I'm just new to the whole car thing.

Try putting some engine oil on the o ring and shaft before sliding it in (that sounds dirty, lol). I had this issue when I did a head gasket job. My o ring protruded a bit so it made it a bit difficult to get it in.

DO NOT USE THE TWO BOLTS TO PULL IT IN!!! You run the risk of cross threading them and ruining the threads inside the head.

You can even take the cap off of it to make sure it stays lined up. I also used a rubber mallet to "tap"" it in (dont whack it!).

Sometimes they slide right in.... sometimes they need a little finess

Did I misunderstand. If it's the seal that's causing the issue try wrapping wax paper around it so it just covers the seal. Slide it in untill the seal is inserted then pull out the wax paper.