I have a 1989 7.5. I installed a new distributor and it runs fine at idle and low speeds. However when pulling a hill it seems to have a lot less power than before the new distributor. Because it is in a motor home it is impossible to reach the timing mark without major removal of the front end. I have retarded and advanced the timing numerous times. It either has low power on hills or when advanced even a tiny bit it strains to crank when warm. I was told the distributor is off a tooth. Can this be true? I thought it would spit and sputter if off even one tooth. Can anyone help me? Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

If the distributor was off a tooth it wouldn't run or would run terrible. I would guess that the advance, both mechanical or vacuum is off. Best way is to to check the timing, double check that during the exchange process you didn't knock a vacuum line off somewhere.>> Sorry, but I think it's time to get creative on getting a timing light in there somehow.

 

Thanks Bubba, I think I have figured a way to use a mirror to check the timing. I will check all the vacuum lines. A friend of mine said to check the muffler also as this thing is 24 years old and only has 40,000 miles on it and exhaust is original. He says the muffler could be filled with rust blocking exhaust. will let you know. Thanks again.

 

Could be on the exhaust, see if you can get a vacuum gage on it, might give you some indications of whats going on.