So we snapped off one of the dist cap bolts, going to get a new distributor to go along with the cap, rotor, plug wires, plugs and coil. So my question is how do you know when you are on TDC compression and not TDC exhaust. At least without taking the valve cover off or other major dismantling.

Also are we wasting money on a distributor from O'reilly's or should we get a motorcraft one.

 

Just put it at TDC and make sure the rotor is pointing at # 1 before you pull the old dist. For that matter, you dont need to even put it an TDC, just make sure the rotor is pointing at the same spot it was with the old dist.

 

Pulled it out without marking the rotor position so now we are pretty much a 50/50 chance. The rotor has to point at number one, are there other alignment marks as you slide the new one in?

 

Pull #1 spark plug, put a finger over the hole while turning the engine over in the proper direction (clockwise)until you feel air coming out of the hole. The piston is on its way up on compression at this point. Line the timing pointer up and you are on TDC of compression stroke.

 

Ok thats easy, you can just feel the compression pressure, thanks.

 

Good luck finding a good rebuilt distributor. It's very common to get one with a pickup that dies after running a little while. These distributors all seem to be rebuilt on the cheap. I'm sure you can't buy a NEW distributor.

 

Are you sure of that? If you go into a Ford parts desk do they tell you "NLA" if you ask for a distributor for a '90 Ford F-150 4.9?

 

Well I guess you could get a new distributor for a '90. Rockauto has 2 NEW Motorcraft distributors for a '90 with a 4.9, for just under 200 dollars each. Closeout only 2 remaining, better hurry. Surprised the heck out of me.

Only one problem here. It looks like the OP needs a distributor for a '94 with a 4.9, going by the vehicles the OP lists. Rockauto doesn't list any NEW distributors for a '94 with a 4.9.

If you know where to get a NEW distributor for a '94 with a 4.9, kindly tell the OP he may want to know.

 

No clue. But just to provide a little more data, indeed '92 - '96 4.9 uses a slightly different distributor designed for remote TFI mount. Perhaps the answer is to pick up a spare from the junkyard and "rebuild" it by installing a new PIP.

As suggested above, the quality of "rebuilt distributors" is suspect. They should have new bearings installed along with a new PIP and gear of correct material. To the best of my knowledge, only the PIP is sold as a separate part at the retail level, so fully rebuilding your own isn't really an option. The replacement gear I've seen used on Chinese-rebuilt distributors is NOT of the same quality as OE. I'd sooner re-use an original with 200K miles.

 

This is worth re-quoting - I wish I had thought this through when I lost my timing reference and wasn't sure if I was on-time or 180 degrees out. Making matters worse, I had an ignition component failure (eventually determined to be a bad coil), so I got very good at pulling the distributor and spinning it 180 degrees.

 

Well we have not figured it out yet. The first distributor we bought said brand new only to have one of the bolt tabs break off just screwing it down. I have been letting the kid do the work as I have been busy the last few nights. Him and his friends tried for three hours yesterday with no luck. I will have to dive into it tonight. I suspect he has a plug wire or two crossed as I know we found tdc on the compression stroke. Not sure what we missing other then that as we have tried rotating the gear several teeth in both directions from we are pretty sure it should be.

To add to that we have major power steering fluid leak and the pressure line at the gear box looks like a real bugger. Good thing we have a spare vehicle cause the truck isn't going anywhere soon.

 

I will be shooting some pics to post later if I strike out too

 

What happens if I re stab the distributor , pointing at sp#1 but didn't tdc it?
I rebuild a distributor. The work fine but now my truck wont run. Thing is it did run for about a mile then it just flat out died.