Hey guys,


I am currently rebuilding my 85 F-250 351W and need to replace my distributor. The truck has a TFI distributor on it, motor craft part number e4ze-12131-aa. When going online to purchase the replacement distributor, I keep getting messages that this distributor will not fit my application.


The engine is a jasper rebuild from about 12 years ago, and I am curious if this is the incorrect distributor for this vehicle?


So really I have two questions, is it possible I have the wrong distributor, and two if I swap the type of distributor what does that entail as far as wiring, harnesses, etc.


Thanks in advance for any help. I used to surf this forum years ago when I was in high school and it was always great.

 

Your F250 probably came with a 351 HO that had DuraSpark ignition, or maybe this is a light duty 250 with tfi and a two barrel feedback carb?

What is the gvw on your door sticker?

 

A Google search of that e4ze number suggests that distributor was used on the Mustang with a 302 engine; I see no reason why it can't be used for other applications (and even other Windsor-family engines) so long as it physically fits and doesn't physically hit or block anything (e.g. air cleaner assembly) the wiring is all the same.

 

You can't use a 302 distributor in a 351 engine, the oil pump drive shafts are different sizes.

***Edit to ask***
Maybe this is a 302, and not a 351???

Then TFI absolutely would make sense.

 

THANK YOU, JIM!!!!!!! I don't want to mislead the guy.......

 

I'm really wondering if he has a 302, or a 302 was swapped in a dozen years ago...
The VIN letter would tell if it came with a 302 or 351, but there's no telling what has been done.

The OP needs to look at the water pump to deck height on the drivers side.
THAT will tell what's in there now.

I don't want to come off as confrontational.
A 302 would have a 1/4" hex shaft and a 351 would have a 5/16" shaft.
If, as you say, the dizzy is speced for a 302 it would never seat over a 351 pump shaft.
so....something is definitely going on here.

 

The truck has gvwr of 6600 lbs, it is a light f250. It had a 2 barrel carb, but I am going to a 4 barrel holley. It is definetly a 351w.
The reason that the distributor has to be replaced is as I was attempting to put it back in it was not fitting on the oil pump drive shaft and when I looked at the bottom of the distributor all the teeth that engage the pump were worn out.


I cannot find a replacement distributor like this online (maybe I'm not looking hard enough) and if I were to go with a different type of distributor how much wiring work would I have to do to switch over?

 

I'm not sure what you mean by 'teeth'

There is a helical gear that engages the cam, and the *inside* of the distributor shaft engages the oil pump drive shaft.
The 351 *hex* shaped pump shaft is 1/16" too large to fit inside a 302 designated distributor shaft.

Maybe someone put a 302 oil pump into your 351?

Swapping to DSII is a pretty big undertaking even if you DO have the engine harness.
Aftermarket all-in-one style distributors are simpler, but some people say they have reliability issues.

If you lose the computer what will you do about the fuel system?

 

The inside of the distributor shaft looks like it has worn down teeth or grooves or something that would engage the oil pump drive shaft. The cam gear is fine. It is the inside of the distributor shaft that looks like it has an issue.
This is my first time ever doing a job this big and being this far in to an engine so my apologies if I misspeak or am confusing.
I do appreciate all your help

 

Please don't worry about what you ask.
I'm just trying to be clear on what you are saying.

Sometimes it can be tricky to get the pump shaft to slip in because it falls over to the side of the boss in the timing case.
(I think there is a current thread about this)
Anyway... if the distributor were stripped you would have no oil pressure and MUCH bigger problems.

We need to figure out why the distributor you do have is not right for your application.
If you have a 351w there is no way it should have been able to fit in the first place.

 

What is concerning me about it is that the engine was replaced by a local mechanic many years ago with a jasper engine. So I'm not sure if those engines come with a distributor, or if he used the one from the original engine.


As another person posted he thought it was possible that a light duty f250 with a 2 barrel feed back carb would have this distributor, and that is exactly what this truck is.


The truck did not have any oil pressure problems before I parked it to start the project, but my neighbor who is a mechanic saw the distributor shaft and said that it is a potential catastrophic problem.


The fact that I am having trouble finding this distributor to purchase, and the ones I am finding on summit racing are all about 300 dollars plus and applications are for mustangs and efi engines concerns me.

 

Yeah, MSD distributor seems silly $$$.

Let's see what's up with the distributor you have.
Do you have a set of Allen wrenches?
If not, can you ask your mechanic neighbor if he will use a 1/4" and 5/16" wrench to test the idea that your truck has an oil pump with only a 1/4" shaft?

Most any reman engine will not come with any covers let alone a distributor.
A longblock is just that, an engine block and heads with all the gubbins.
No oil pan, valve covers, flywheel, water pump or intake manifold. (mine did not even have an oil pump installed)

 

I agree with Jim (ard) about asking the neighbor to help verify the size of the oil pump driveshaft.

With that information, take that along with your current distributor and take everything to a local parts store, look at the differences between the different possible distributors and get the one that works for your engine.

Trying to do this kind of thing online would be frustrating and would take forever.

Given the history of this engine and the large number of unknowns, i think that'd be the best thing to do.

 

This is not the part number, it's the ID Engineering number for the distributor body itself.

The actual distributor ID Engineering number will be stamped on a metal tag affixed to the body, will contain 12127

Dizzy has to be looked up by the trucks specific Calibration Code. If unknown: 1985 F250 351W under 8,500 lbs. GVWR: A/T or M/T, 2WD or 4WD?

 

THANK YOU BILL!!!!!

Okay, if that number is for the distributor body only then we can stop worrying about the wrong distributor being installed and try to find the correct replacement.
ALWAYS closely compare your existing unit *before you leave* if you bring it to the parts store as core on a reman unit.

I guess Bill needs to know the calibration code and /or if two or four wheel drive, if manual or auto.
With a proper part number it should not be difficult to look it up.