Guys,
What am I in for when I change the Ignition Pick-Up Coil Assy. in the distributor of my 96 F150 4.9L 300CI Straight-6 Automatic? (AutoZone told me that their computer says that the entire Distributor has to be removed in order to change out the Assembly) Any advice on this one would be seriously appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom

 

That's correct.
The drive gear needs to be pull or pressed off of the shaft.

If you don't have the proper tools, it's easier to just get a rebuilt distributor.

 

i am not sure i would buy one at autozone.

 

Parts are parts and atleast the one I just bought from AutoZone was made in the USA!

 

don't say i did not warn you.

 

I decided to purchase a used distributor from the local junk yard. I will rebuild the original once I get all of the replacement parts together.
The truck just got a new Ignition Module (fender-mounted) installed yesterday. Today the truck did it's misfire routine a couple of times on the way to and from work and home. It also stopped running twice on the way home tonight. Both times it acted just like I turned off the ignition key. I coasted a bit until I shifted into neutral, hit the start position with the key and it fired right up on the first try! All I had to do was to shift back into drive and complete my drive.
I have been convinced that the truck has a minimum of two problems that have been showing up. I think that the first is the one I just mentioned about the engine shutting off and re-starting on the first try. The second problem is the one that I get stranded for 30 - 60 minutes minimum. On that one, I know that there is proper fuel pressure at the schrader valve (50 pounds), but the fuel injectors won't fire. I can spray starter fluid into the intake and hit the key and the engine will try to run while it still has the fumes in it. Which shows that I have spark & timing, but no fuel. What are your thoughts on this?

 

I believe that I have fixed one of the problems with the truck. I replaced one of the relays in the fuse box under the hood. The other was swapped with the trailer lights relay I will never use. So far, the problem with the truck shutting off and would instantly re-start with just putting it into neutral and hitting the start position with the key for a couple of seconds max. I didn't have an owners manual, so I had to call the service department of a local Ford dealer near me. I put a new relay into position-1 (PCM Power relay) and swapped the position 2 & 4 (2= Fuel Pump Power relay & 4= Trailer Light relay). I will send an update once I replace the Pickup Coil assy in the distributor tomorrow night. Today I used an entire can of Engine Bright on just the area of the distributor preparing for tomorrow's work. Besides making it easier to mark the distributor without all the grease making the job tougher because of loose debris falling into the hole when pulling the distributor.

 

The pick-up coil in the distributor was definitely bad! I am now on day 4 of driving it without having it stranding me along the side of the road. The truck actually runs smoother as well.
Thanks for all comments!