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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Distributor Cap

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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 12:43 PM
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Distributor Cap

Is it tough to change out a distributor cap? What do I need? I'm not very Mechanically Inclined. Would it be possible for me to handle that? I have a 302 engine!
 
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 02:03 PM
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Distributor Cap

Simple:

1) Hold the new cap next to the old cap and find the plug wire marked 1 on the cap. Move that plug wire from the old cap to the new cap at the same location, continue moving the plug wires from the old cap to the new cap in counter clockwise rotation (not really necessary, but it follows the way the plugs actually fire)...what is important is that the plug wires match from cap to cap.
2) Pop the spring hold down clamps from each side of the old distributor cap and remove the old cap.
3) Place the new cap on the distributor in the same position as the old cap.
4) Press the spring clamps back in place that hold the cap down.
 
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 04:26 PM
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Distributor Cap

Is it that easy? I have never done anything like this and just wanna make sure. What are the best kind of spark plugs for added HP?
 
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 05:47 PM
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Distributor Cap

IMHO the NGK v-groove plugs are the best on the market.
 
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 06:07 PM
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Distributor Cap

IMHO? Does the distributor ever go bad? I have only heard of the caps being replaced. Does the cap require any timing changes when you replace it? Sorry for the ignorance.
 
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 06:50 PM
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Distributor Cap

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Jan-02 AT 07:53 PM (EST)]IMHO = It's My Humble opinion

Yes..... Distributors can go bad.
Usually the bushings wear out.. The centrifugal advance springs can get weak....and the Vacuum advance can seize affecting timing.

The Timing of the engine is deterimined by the ROTATION
of the distributor > Not by replacing the cap

BTW = By the way .. Most people replace the Dist. rotor at the same time as the Dist. cap.

Dennis

Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"







78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
 
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 09:04 PM
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Distributor Cap

You can also lose the magnetic pickup inside the distributor which will basicall shut the truck down.
 
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 09:05 PM
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Distributor Cap

Oh, and what year truck do you have and what size engine?
 
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 09:06 PM
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Distributor Cap

Sorry, just went back and read it's a 302.
 
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Old Jan 9, 2002 | 10:17 PM
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Distributor Cap

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Jan-02 AT 11:18 PM (EST)]Slik ,

You might not have noticed but,

Next to *Reply* is the word *Edit*
You can use that to go back to you previous post and change it ,
Within an Hour of posting, that is.



Dennis

Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"







78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
 
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 08:31 AM
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Distributor Cap

It never occured to me that you could edit a posted reply.

Thanks,
 
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 10:27 AM
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Distributor Cap

You said it's easy to replace a distributor cap, but what about the rotor? Somebody mentioned that it's a good idea to replace the rotor when replacing the cap. Is that an easy do-it-yourselfer task also? If so, please provide instructions.
 
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 10:31 AM
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Distributor Cap

When the cap is off,Just Grab the rotor and pull straight up.
When putting the new one on,Check for the detent on the shaft and
the corresponding nub on the inside of the rotor bottom.
The rotor should be pointing to the same spot as the one you pulled off.It's actually a NO Fault replacement.

Dennis

Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"







78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
 
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 04:48 PM
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Distributor Cap

The story is my Truck died on me as I was leaving the parking lot of a restaurant. At first, I thought it was out of gas. I put about ten gallons into the tank. Nothing. I poured some gas into the carb. Nothing. It turns over and sounds like it is about ready to start, but can't bring itself to start. Would the Distributor Cap seem like a good place to start? Spark plugs? Or anything else? Help is needed because I love my truck!
 
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Old Jan 10, 2002 | 06:57 PM
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Distributor Cap

I'd say it was the ignition module.

They are prone to fail without notice.


Dennis

Oh....Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"







78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
 
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