Distributor cap 330 ft
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Distributor cap 330 ft
So I bought an old 1974 f600 the other day. Ran like crap on the way home. I'm in the process of putting a new cap rotor wires ect on it. Anyways this picture is from before I took the cap and old wires off. Doesn't it seem like the positioning is off for the plug wires on the cap? This is how I re assembled with the new cap and wires but I got to thinking about this and was wondering if it's possible it could be 180 degrees out or something thanks!
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
Don't know for sure on that motor but it's pretty common error. It doesn't really matter too much so long as the firing order is correct, the distributor doesn't care.
Well, so long as the distributor body or vac advance can doesn't hit anything when trying to advance or retard the timing. If that's the case you'll have to pull the distributor and get the rotor lined up with #1 at TDC.
Put a light on it (using the #1 piston wire, whatever that is now, of course), disconnect and plug vacuum advance port, and see where the base timing is at right now to check.
Well, so long as the distributor body or vac advance can doesn't hit anything when trying to advance or retard the timing. If that's the case you'll have to pull the distributor and get the rotor lined up with #1 at TDC.
Put a light on it (using the #1 piston wire, whatever that is now, of course), disconnect and plug vacuum advance port, and see where the base timing is at right now to check.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
It's all relative, not absolute 
And even if the vacuum advance hit something trying to time it, pull the distributor, turn it one tooth, and plop it back in.
180 degrees out of timing, it wouldn't run. If it's still points, change them, and the condensor, but before you do, rotate the engine until the points are closed, and then push/pull the rotor in the direction of the points and see if they open and close - if they do, the upper bushing in the distributor is toast, and it's time for a rebuilt.
And even if the vacuum advance hit something trying to time it, pull the distributor, turn it one tooth, and plop it back in.
180 degrees out of timing, it wouldn't run. If it's still points, change them, and the condensor, but before you do, rotate the engine until the points are closed, and then push/pull the rotor in the direction of the points and see if they open and close - if they do, the upper bushing in the distributor is toast, and it's time for a rebuilt.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Won't run 180 degrees out as such, but they can have the wires on the cap 180 degrees out as previously described, then get the timing off a bit say "a tooth"; because of this and especially, when coupled with those slipped damper/balancer rings some Fords are subject to, the ignition timing will be WAY off. Can cause some head scratching for a while.
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