1994 E-series, club wagon, 5.8 351.

While doing some work on my van, I noticed that the Distributor cap is kinda loose, I can grab it and it wobbles around. It is fairly new.
Both clips are attached. Is that normal for this Distributor/Engine?

Thanks.

 

Because the cap is just a rotary switch of sorts it needs to be held firmly in place; loose or wobbling isn't good.

You'll need to determine why its loose or wobbling---that might be the source of your epic battle to undo the other issues you're having Nick.

 

Sometimes aftermarket replacement parts aren't made to close specifications, they sorta fit but not really. Compare with OEM.

 

When I replaced my distributor, I wish that I would have bought all motor-craft parts. I went to AZ and looked at two different distributors, one rebuilt, one new.
Both your distributor and mine require a cap adapter that mounts to the top of the distributor. Yours should bolt on with two small screws. Mine being a 85, has clips on the distributor that holds the adapter down on the distributor much like the clips on the adapter that holds the cap on.

This should be your 93 adapter
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/mor...nid=636&jpid=0


This is my adapter
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/mor...nid=637&jpid=7

This is your distributor
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/mor...nid=639&jpid=3

This is mine
Product Detail


Both your's and my distributor have electrical connectors coming out just below the cap adapter as you can see in the pic . The grommet holding the wires as they exit the distributor can sometimes be a bit too big and cause the cap adapter not to seat properly. That should not be much of a problem on your distributor as it bolts down unless,,,, the grommet was large enough to cause the adapter to slightly warp once screwed down...

As my adapter is held on by spring clips mounted on the distributor itself, I noticed a wobble on the cap adapter immediately after installing the adapter. I used a razor blade and trimmed the grommet just a little till the cap adapter fir down flat.

I also had trouble with the cap wobble on the adapter itself. I took my cap adapter off and took it with me to NAPA and tried a couple of their caps and still had a little wobble but one was fairly tight, just not as tight as i thought it should have been..

I think I am going to go to Ford and matched up a cap and adapter, if they still sell them for my van.. That way I can match up one with no wobble...

 

Annaleigh have you ever looked at Jeg's or Summit Racing's sites for their Ford distributor offerings? I'm sure MSD etc have something nice for those sorts of parts.

Gosh I remember a time just a few years ago finding a tight fitting rotor and cap wasn't any more complicated than dropping into the local NAPA store.

 

I just removed my cap and just as anna posted, My dist. has an adapter.
I cannot see why its wobbling because there is some kind of plastic shield in the way.

Do I need to replace the adapter and the cap at the same time? Seems like that would make sense.
Anna, were you experiencing a mis type symptom before replacing your cap? and if so, did replacing the cap solve it?

Thanks

 

I would remove the adapter and take it with me to the parts store and try to match up a set (cap and adapter) that does not wobble.... is there a NAPA near you? If you recently bought the cap you have, return it.


I did have intermittent skipping but not sure it was due to the cap.. My 85 had an eec4 TFI ignition and computer controlled feedback carburetor. Instead of going to the university to get a degree on that system, I replaced the ignition and carb to an earlier DSII system and solved the problem...
That would not be feasible with your van..

 

Is the adapter wobbling or just the cap on the adapter?

I was looking at the price of new motorcraft adapters and they are around $70 wow..
If you think it might be the adapter maybe a junk yard near you many different modle fords around that year should fit...

 

Just the cap is wobbling. No matter how I try to set it, it wobbles a bit.

 

the only other thing that might cause it,, I doubt it, is the rotor not seating down far enough could hold pressure on the cap... But if it is like mine was, it wobbled without the rotor installed.. Can you get to the two screws that hold the adapter on? They should stay in the adapter once loose.. Take the adapter with you and find a cap that works. You will also be able to examine it much better..

 

I just bought a new cap and rotor. The cap fits perfect and does not wobble at all with the rotor installed, but.... The cap had what I think was a vent on top and that peice came off but theres no hole where the black cap was.

The old one has a hole in it with the same looking black cap.

Should I drill out the cap and install a tube up and out of the way or should I just leave it as it is?

 

I would prefer the vented cap myself but my new cap didn't have a vent.. I dont think the one on my Lincoln does either.. I believe it is in case you get condensation in the distributor. For now i would just go with the one you have and see if it helps with the original problem...

 

Thanks for the help.

 

I have been scanning your other post bout rough idle. If I get any ideas i will let you know.. My no lincoln had a 5.0 in it but i never had idle problems.. My newer TC is 4.6 and have not had problems of skipping..