For the Mitsubishi Galant, the 2.4L engines from 1996 into the early 2000s have had distributors, although other size engines have had distributorless systems. If you're handy with some basic tools, here's how to replace the distributor in your Galant.
Find the distributor on the engine block by following the spark plug wires to the top of the distributor cap. Use a long-handled ratchet (breaker bar) to rotate the crankshaft bolt in the middle of the pulley near the bottom of the engine. Do this to position the No. 1 cylinder at the Top Dead Center (TDC) mark and align the timing marks.
Unhook the negative cable from the battery on the right side of the engine compartment, as you face the engine. Use a wrench to unbolt the distributor harness connector.
Unclamp the distributor cap and remove with all ignition wires still connected. Remove the coil wire, if necessary. Mark the rotor position relative to the distributor housing and the distributor housing to the engine.
Unbolt the hold-down nut on the distributor and carefully remove the distributor from the engine so you don't disturb the parts you marked. Take off the old O-ring. Install a new distributor housing O-ring and lightly oil; this will be a separate purchase from the distributor.
Put your new Galant distributor in the engine so the rotor aligns with the mark on the housing, and the housing with the mark on the engine. Be sure the distributor is fully seated and the distributor shaft is fully engaged in its spot. You can order part number SIJH253 from Parts Train. Since parts numbers differ among manufacturers, know your model, year and engine size.
Replace the hold-down nut and the distributor harness connectors. Clamp on the distributor cap and reconnect the negative battery cable, then tighten the hold-down nut.
