I just replaced a head gasket and also new distributor was installed. Of course never pulled a distributor before so I never mark the rotor direction. So after finding TDC and check direction of rotor pointing at #1 on the cap I couldnt find the timing mark with my light. Pulley must have of slipped or maybe wrong pulley. Made my own marks on pulley and put at 12 degrees ever since while having headlight on at night the light will dime in and out but not so much to where i cant drive. Please help stuck to where dumb founded

 

more info would be helpful.

what year, engine and any other info you can give.

did you remove the spout to do the timing otherwise the computer is always making changes.

that is probably what you did wrong.

and 10 dregrees is the proper setting to set engine at anyway.

and before you ask what is the spout and where is it go to: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...-please-2.html and you will find pics of where it is at on various years.

 

The headlights should not be affected by what you did. You should probably have your charging system checked out. A poor regulator in the alternator might be causing this.

 

or the timing is off enough to cause the engine to surge which would make the alternator power up and down.

 

sorry but my engine is a 400m 1978 custom bronco Its not the timing Ive checked throughly.

 

I had a similar issue with my 78 bronco and found a wire for the tail lights that would ground out occasionaly and cause pretty much the same problem, but wouldnt blow the fuse. Thuroughly check your headlight/park light wiring and possibly look into a new switch. Also make sure you have reconnected the alternator back up properly when you pulled the heads off. Check the voltage at the battery with the truck idleing and is should be 13.5-14.5 volts. Also check the connection to the voltage regulator on the passenger side inner fender. They have a habbit of coming loose and most times just need to be pushed back on.

 

How do u properly troubleshoot a distruibuter, everytime i pull off cap it gets dirty so quick and have also found plastic and metal shavings in the base? Just replaced but I have tried to seal with sealant where cap and dist. meet and still dirty. Was a recent toyota owner got the bronco give 2 me.

 

maybe the shaft is bent in the dist.

have someone crank it with cap and rotor off and see what it looks like.