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We recently bought a 1966 F100 with a replaced engine and trans - Ford V8 and AOD transmission. Busy doing lots of little stuff, and learning a lot around here.
Issue - starts with a turn of the key, accelerates well at slow speeds. When the accelerator is pushed at around 45-50 MPH, it downshifts but won't accelerate well. A friend thinks the distributor is poorly set, and the engine is running out of advance. My understanding is that the TV rod causes the downshift, but there is nothing the trans can do to impede acceleration.
So to the timing. Timing based on #1 cylinder (driver, front) shows the timing to be maybe 30 degrees from the TDC to 10 degrees before range. After, if that makes a difference.
Weird. So I checked the plug wires, and checked them again. From the #1 cylinder, CCW on the distributor cap, I have 1-8-4-5-7-3-6-2. I could not find any Ford with that firing order. I was expecting 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8.
All indications are that I have a Ford 302, probably late 80s. I have looked for an engine ID "above the starter." Is it situated such that I have to remove the starter to see it, or am I looking in the wrong place?
I would like some experienced guidance before I pull all of the wires, set base timing and work it through.
If it is a 1980's 302 (5.0L) the standard engine is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 the HO motors are 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. The firing order should be cast into the intake manifold, if it is the original. You can check it by pulling #1, 3 an 5 plugs bring it to TDC #1, turn it over and see which cylinder comes up on compression next if it's 3 or 5 then you know which firing order you have. You probably have a Duraspark distributor so be sure you remove the coil wire from the distributor before turning it over with the plug wires disconnected, if you don't do that it can arc to the stator and cause bad things to happen. Post a picture of your distributor something doesn't look right but maybe it's just the angle the picture was taken. I forgot to mention #1 cyl. on Ford V8's is passenger side front. I would suggest you buy at least a Haynes manual that has 80's and 90's 5.0's in it.
Last edited by Crop Duster; Aug 15, 2018 at 05:50 AM.
Reason: More words
Good advice on the Haynes-type manual. I do better with printed stuff anyway.
I was thinking the #1 cylinder was the driver side (old Chevy guy). Funny, first image I looked at online for Ford firing order,showed a front distributor and #1 on the driver side.
Thanks all! More comments welcome. I will also post results.
That distributor looks to be from a vehicle with EEC-IV, it's computer controlled. All you can do is set the initial timing and you have to disconnect a single wire connector, "that I can't see in your picture" to do that. Your acceleration problems may be more complex that you think. You are going to have to figure out exactly what you've got ,"year and model" in order to sort everything out. Worst case you can switch it to a regular distributor and carburetor. Is there an engine driven mechanical fuel pump on that engine?
The intake says 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8, but it appears to have been replaced. I have a 2-barrel Ford-style carburetor. Radiator hose comes from the intake, 6 bolts on valve covers, the intake rises up about an inch from the base of the distributor, lower thermostat bolt accessible with socket.
Read post #7, that distributor has to be in a system with sensors they all need to be connected and working and from what I'm seeing in your pictures I bet they're not.
You could have a 351W or a 5.0 HO. Quickest way to tell is remove a spark plug bring the piston to TDC insert a small wood dowel until it touches the piston and mark it, move piston to BDC put dowel back in and mark it, if it's 3.5 inch stroke you got a 351 if not it's a 5.0.
Read post #7, that distributor has to be in a system with sensors they all need to be connected and working and from what I'm seeing in your pictures I bet they're not.
You could have a 351W or a 5.0 HO. Quickest way to tell is remove a spark plug bring the piston to TDC insert a small wood dowel until it touches the piston and mark it, move piston to BDC put dowel back in and mark it, if it's 3.5 inch stroke you got a 351 if not it's a 5.0.
I saw your post after I made the reply. The exhaust manifolds have sensors, though they are not connected to anything.
I think the voltage regulator you are referring to is actually the ignition control module. Like I said that distributor cannot work without sensors the engine may start and sorta run but it ain't going to ever work right. Your best and cheapest bet is to change to a regular distributor and the simplest way is to get one of those Chevrolet looking HEI's. But before you jump off that cliff you have to know for sure if your engine has a regular flat tappet cam or a roller cam. Because they use different distributor gear material and if you get it wrong it will destroy your cam.
Sooo...
I measured and got a stroke of 3 1/8 inch, which I would accept as 3 inches over 3.5 inches. That would make the engine a 5.0HO, a 5.0 EFI or a 302. (more asking than saying) The intake appears to be replaced, so I am OK disregarding the firing order on it. If the firing order, is correct as the engine is currently wired, is 1-3-7..., that would eliminate the 5.0 EFI, 5.0, and 302. So I have a 302HO?
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