hey i was trying to do a tune up and replace my distributor cap but the 2 hold down screws snapped . So my father took the old distributor out to try to tap out the old screws but didnt mark the position of the rotor. So we tried to time the engine by getting it to TDC using the marks on the balancer. Then we turned the engine until the rotor was pointing at number one on the distributor cap. unfortunatly this didnt work and the engine wont start. the chilton manual says something about lining up the vane switch and we dont know what that is. Any suggestions on the timing it seems to want to start but wont. 1994 f150 STRAIT 6

 

The number 1 piston will reach TDC twice for each full revolution of the distributor. Try moving the distributor rotor 180° and see if you have any better luck.

 

I'm assuming you removed the #1 spark plug to find TDC(you didn't mention that). You can't go by the marks alone. #1 is the first cylinder in front then 2,3,4,5,6. Firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4 with a clockwise rotation looking at the top of the distributor. The rotor is keyed and will only go on one way, I don't think lining up any vanes is neccessary. I think what you're talking about is on the old Duraspark III system. You should have TFI-IV or later.

 

yeah i took out plug number 1 and tried reverse 180 and it sounded even worse trying to start.

 

Did you rotate the engine enough to tell that both valves were closed and forcing air out. You need to put your thumb over the plug hole and rotate engine enough to feel the force of air coming out. As EPNCSU said, the piston will come to the top twice in a full revolution, don't just rotate the engine till the piston reaches the top of it's travel. Make sure you're on the compression stroke. Also, double check your plug wire routing.

 

Do you have a Timing Light?
Did you pull out the "SPOUT"?
If not it may be a little difficult to time it.

 

yesi made sure it was the comp stroke... but what is the SPOUT? also should i have the rotor at 10 degrees before TDC? or directly at number 1

 

With number one on compression stroke at top dead center while the pointer is pointing to 0* make sure the Distributor rotor is pointing to #1 wire.
1. Place transmission in PARK or NEUTRAL, A/C and heater in OFF position.
2. Connect an inductive timing light.
3. Disconnect the single wire in-line SPOUT connector or remove the shorting bar from the double wire SPOUT connector.
4. Start the engine and allow it to warm up to operating temperature. To set timing correctly, a remote starter should not be used. Use the ignition key only to start the vehicle. Disconnecting the start wire at the starter relay will cause ICM to revert to start mode timing after thevehicle is started. connecting the start wire after the vehicle is running will not correct the timing.
5. With engine at timing rpm if specified, check/adjust initial timing to specification.
6. Reconnect single wire in-line SPOUT connector or reinstall the shorting bar on the double wire SPOUT connector. Check timing advance while varying engine speed to verify distributor is advancing beyond the initial setting. If it is not, refer to.
7. Remove test instruments.

 

The SPOUT breaks the IDM (PIP) train to the PCM from the ICM.



The ICM (TFI) Module

 

Once the engine is at TDC you dont turn the engine at all you place the distributor in the hole already pointing at the number one cyl. If you do it the other way then you timing will be off too much.