Distributor Cap
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
From: Durham
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.
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.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
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
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
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
From: Durham
Distributor Cap
You can also lose the magnetic pickup inside the distributor which will basicall shut the truck down.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
From: Durham
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
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
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
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Home
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.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
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
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
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Home
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!
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
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
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