I have just rebuilt my 351w for my 1989 f150 4x4 with c6. The distributor was taken out without any marks on it. I dont even know which spark plug wire goes where. The book says to line up the rotor with the number one cylinder firing position. My question is where the hell is that? Right now the rotor is facing the number one cylinder plug, but ... well, i need help. Oh, the engine is right now at cylinder #1 TDC. Please any help is greatly appriciated, including help on where i can find which spark plug wire goes where on the distributor cap.

 

ok first i got the firing order from summit, so i know know where the 1-3-7-2- etc spark plug wires go on the cap. I also aligned the rotor to face the number one wire on the cap. Is this all i need for ignitial distributor alignment before i time it with the engine running. Thanks

 

Hold on...I think I can help on this one. Had the same questions when I rebuilt mine.

Look at the cap. It should have a #1 on stamped on it. The cap will only fit on the distributor one way. Set it on that way and slip the distributor in the hole. The #1 should be at about the 1 o'clock position when looking at it from the front of the engine. Now lift the cap and look at the rotor. It should be pointing at or just before the #1 spot on the cap (rotor moves counterclockwise). If you need to, slightly lift the distributor and turn the rotor (and shaft) until it is where you need it. Make sure you only lift it enough to clear the camshaft gear and not completely off the oil pump shaft because the distributor shaft must turn the oil pump shaft too. This is pretty tricky. Now set the distributor firmly in place and leave the distributor bolt finger tight.

Look at the firing order in the book and connect the wires starting with #1 to #1 cylinder and so on... Remember the rotor moves counterclockwise, so whatever the firing order says is the next cylinder to fire after #1, that would be the next spot on the distributor cap counterclockwise from #1.

After you get all the wires in place, get out the timing light and have fun. If you end up with funky timing readings, you may have to lift and turn the distributor shaft a little in either direction. Mine took hours to figure out that I was one tooth (camshaft gear) off of where it should have been.

Hope this helps.

 

Dude! You're in Mobile? I'm from Mobile! I'm in the Air Force stationed in Montana right now though. Let me know if need anymore help. Good to hear from some home folk.

Jim

 

well actually in Semmes out near west mobile, but if your from here you know exactly where that is. And I was in the air force too, Stationed at Osan, Korea and also mcchord afb in washington. However i am originally from california, i met my wife when i was in tech school at keesler in biloxi and moved down here 3 1/2 years ago. Take care of yourself, and thanks for the info.
I have the rotor facing that #1 cap position, and all but i dont have a timing light. Also i bought a new cam, a lunati cam, and so when i do get the engine back in the truck i have to break that in. Hopefully it will work out well. again, thanks for the info.

 

Yeah, I kinda know where that is. I grew up in Semmes. My parents still live out on Lott Road. I'll be visiting them the first week in August. Gotta go TDY to San Antonio, then I'm going to pick up a boat from my wife's parents house in Louisiana, then to my dad's house to pick up a motor for it. Will be my first trip in the truck since I rebuilt the motor. I hope it holds together!

 

i'm sure it will be fine, hey its built ford tough! Me and my wife live off Howells Ferry, before you get to moffet. Its a pretty quiet area. Well good luck with the air force, and your truck.
-Jay

 

How do you like montana? Seems like it would be beautiful country land.

 

Yep, I know where that is. You're really inside the Mobile city limits, almost into the Overlook area.

Montana is awesome during the summer; stinks during the winter though. Lots to see and do, but not much time to do it in. Hunting is awesome. Fishing is different. Not anything like down south. Cars and trucks are expensive, can't hardly find anything 2-wheel drive except for small cars and minivans. Not many people here either. Not even a million people in the whole state (4th largest state in US). You can drive around for hours and not see more than a dozen other cars.

Take care. Good luck with your truck.