So just swapped a brand new 5.0 into my 93 f150 5spd.. after 26hrs of work it was in.. this is my first engine swap. I marked up the distributur all the way around so that it would go into the new engine close to timing.. or so i thought.. Got all things torqued and hooked up according the the manual jump in and it turns and then sounds like its binding or chugging on the 3rd crank.. So could my timing be way off? and if so how do i adjust the distributor the flat of the distributor is in the same exact spot but somehow the cap latched on in a differant spot? Sorry im totally new to any of this so my explanations suck.... Attached a few pictures of the mess old engine and the new engine... got 4hrs in cleaning and painting alone!

 

Another thing i thought of .. my truck uses the non ho firing order... how do i tell if my new engine is a ho with the other firing order?

 

If you still had the valve covers off it could be done. It would take some watching and some thinking, but it could be done.

 

When you say brand new engine, can you elaborate on the details of it?

If it's got the '92-94 roller cam, it will use the non-h.o. firing order.
If it's '95 and newer, it will use the h.o. firing order.

Here's a pic of the firing order for both.



I have heard that mid quarter '94's got the updated h.o. cam. Cannot say for positive.

When you set the timing, find the compression stroke for #1 Cylinder. Then bring it up to 0° TDC. Next stab the distributor so that the rotor faces #1 on the cap. It may take a few tries and you may have to move the crank back and forth a bit, but I just did this a few days ago and got it right the 1st time.

Once you have lined it up, have your timing light ready, be sure to remove the Spout connector and try starting the engine. If it starts, be ready to adjust the timing, turning the distributor clockwise to advance.

Have a 1/2" socket, swivel, and extension so you can tighten and loosen the bolt for the distributor hold down bracket.

 

You need to find tdc on compression stroke of # cylinder, point rotor toward 1, and it'll fire.

 

Alright so i got it fired up but it dies as soon as i let off the gas.. so im assuming i need to advance the timing a little in order for it to stay running so i can use the timing light?

 

You can turn the distributor clockwise a little to advance the timing, and see if that helps to keep it running.

 

^^ This. It's possible to be 180* out of phase if the #1 cylinder is on the exhaust stroke instead of compression stroke.

edit: See you have it fired. Yes. You don't want to spend a lot of time or excess ****ery, the goal is to get it running right away and break the cam in.

 

Ok how do i determine tdc on compression stroke?

 

Easiest way to to find tdc on comp stroke is with valve cover off, both valves will be closed before and after the tdc position. Sucks the tsunami wave covers #1.

 

ok... any other way? I got the whole engine put in... and it takes a while to get to that cover... if not guess ill tear it apart.

 

Yes, pull drivers side valve cover and confirm that #5 just completed its intake stroke as you get #1 to tdc.

 

Tried that.. now it doesnt start ..

 

You do know the firing order of *your* cam, correct? If you don't know, and can't find out, it's possible you have the whole thing wired wrong for your cam. Each cams firing order is above in post 4.

 

Yes firing order was correct i pulled the cap spun the rotor around 360 put it in and it fired up with a timing of 10 ATC i got it adjusted to 12 BTDC now and its purring like a kitten... minus the smoke in the cab from paint and oil burning off.. Also the check engine light flashed 3 times at me so i pulled codes and got a 11 So im assuming all the systems are just relearning being it was drained and unplugged .