Got a 91 4.9L, are the lifters hydraulic or solid? Long story short I changed out the distributor and did not put the new on in facing the right way and it backfired when I tried to start it. Now I have a tapping/knocking sound that wasn't there before. I'm really hoping its a lifter or rod and not a piston slapping.

What is the recommended way to attach a replacement electrical connector? Solder or crimp?

 

Not sure about the tapping and knockin'... but that sounds bad...

As for replacement electrical connectors? I like to crimp them, solder them, heat shrink with double wall heat shrink tubing (hot glue lining the inside), and then wrapping in more layers of silicon tape and hockey tape.

I'm a little paranoid though, and even use butt splices on any wire that shows wear ... I really don't like it when my cigar lighter don't work

 

The lifters are hydraulic in a 91, not sure if any 300 ever had solid lifters but yours (if its stock and someone hasn't swapped them) is definitely hydraulic.

Describe the tapping sound a bit more. There are a few techniques for locating it. Using an old paper towel roll against your ear can help isolate the sound. You can also hold a screwdriver to the suspected area and do the same thing, hold your ear to it.

I did the exact same thing you did, pulled distributor and put it in 180 degrees off the first time. Truck backfired like a cannon, scared the **** outta me. Luckily I havn’t noticed any new sounds.

Oh and I prefer to solder and heat shrink followed by loom and tape where needed.

 

The above technique works well, BUT be very c-a-r-e-f-u-l!!! Avoid moving parts.

 

^Yeah we dont want you getting stitches from a clutch fan or a burn from a belt. You can get hurt fast if your moving your head around, not looking at the motor just listening....