5.0L distributor question

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Apr 23, 2011 | 08:00 AM

dsc

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From: Maryland

5.0L distributor question

5.0L distributor question

I replaced my 1989 F150 5.0L engine with a rebuilt F150 5.0L eng.
My 1989 eng had a roller cam which was stock and the replacement is a roller also.
My question is. Are the distributors the same, they look the same? I gave away the old 1993 distributor and don’t have it to compare length etc. I know the drive gear must be for a roller. I put the 1989 in the engine and works ok but as per a pervious post I am having oil pressure issues. Thanks Art

Apr 23, 2011 | 04:02 PM

xlt4wd90

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From: SoCal

If both engines used roller cams, they should both have steel distributor gears. You can look for obvious problems, like metal filings from a ground up gear, or the hex hole at the base of the distributor shaft rounding out, or the oil pump drive shaft hex rounding out. But the problems should be obvious; as long as there is gear-to-gear drive, the distributor will turn, or the engine won't run. As long as the the distributor or drive shafts haven't been completely rounded off, the oil pump should be turning with the distributor.

I didn't follow your other thread, but low oil pressure on a newly rebuilt engine would point to the engine. Did it get a new oil pump with the rebuild?

Apr 23, 2011 | 05:04 PM

dsc

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From: Maryland

Thanks for the response. I guess I was unclear. The original eng in the 1989 truck was a 1989 5.0; roller. I rebuilt a 1993 f150 5.0L roller. I used the distributor out of the 1989 to put in the 1993 because of the electrical connection to the eng harness. The eng would start and run fine with normal oil pressure at 2500 rpm's a drop to zero at idle. Also there is no oil pressure to the rockers. Thanks Art

Apr 23, 2011 | 05:15 PM

MisterCMK

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From: Blue Hill Township

What have you checked so far?

Apr 23, 2011 | 06:22 PM

dsc

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From: Maryland

After Initial start up the dash gauge would read 3/4 scale oil pressure at 2500 rpm. Decrease to 1500 guage went to zero. I know dash guage is limited. I was concerned if oil was getting to valves. Opened the valve cover it was dry.

Checked the following:
Drained oil checked clearance of screen to bottom of pan
Installed real oil gage and turned distributor with an electric drill go got abut 10 psi; don’t know how much pressure would get with just a drill.
Looked down distributor hole and saw no oil flowing on dist gear.
Changed to a different oil filter and while it was off turn the oil pump again and lots of oil pumped out.