Distributor Install & Spark color

[therris]

88 5spd LX
130000

Is there more than one way to do this? I've installed it, the engine turns over and over, gives a few sputters and pops, and the more I turn the Dist. body counter clockwise the more hope I get of it starting. Talked to my dad about it and he said I probably have the distributor/cam shaft connection 180 degrees too far. Problem is the dist. and cam shaft don't line up correctly when I turn it 180 degrees. Is there only one way for the dist to go on?

Also, when checking for spark the spark color was white/yellow/orange colored. My dad said some vehicles are supposed to have blue spark. Anybody know where the Festiva falls with this? Thanks.

[geezerstiva]

i dont know about the dist, but my car has always had blue spark.

[FB71]

the distributor only goes in one way, you can't turn it 180 deg out. Spark should be blue, blue/white. Have you checked to make sure the cam hasn't jumped time?

[scitzz]

I did a head job once, and tried to use the disty that was on my car b4 hand, it was 180 out, even though there was only one way to put it in. Once I put in the disty from the donor car, everything worked fine. Anyone else ever have this issue either? It may explain the problem here. Spark should be blue yes yes yes. Do you havwe all the wires right? Are all connections clean? Check the forum, then check the coil as well.......

[therris]

Traced back the prob. The crankshaft was misaligned. Starting up now and will run if I'm giving it gas. I'll tweak with the timing light and see what happens. Started right up though once I got the lined up alright.

My sparks were white or yellowish on my old plugs. Didn't check the color when I put on the new ones. But I will before I take it off the stands and everything. WOOHOO! She LIVES!!

[jglutz]

Spark color is a result from ioniztion of the gas air between the anode and cathode....with normal air...the spark should be more blue-ish than anything. The yellow/orange color if probalbly coming from crud on the plug. Good that your running!