I need help..
Which spark plug wire socket on the spark plug distributor cap should the spark plug wire coming from cylinder number 1 be plugged into for a 1970 Ford F-250?
I need help..
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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You should look at your engine from the side and see what side of the engine is closer to the radiator. That is #1 piston. Then take out the spark plug and rotate the engine until #1 piston is at the top, called tdc (top dead center). Then look at your distributor and where the rotor is located should point to where #1 wire goes.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
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Jim's close--It's a 4 stroke engine. You can hit TDC using that method---but you'd better make sure both intake and exhaust valves are closed for the start of the power stroke. TDC is either the end of the compression stroke--getting ready to fire the plug-- Or you'll be TDC with the exhaust valve starting to close, and the intake valve getting ready to open.
Do this while the engine is stone cold (don't want burnt fingers) Rotate the engine to that TDC position with a finger plugging the spark plug hole. You'll know it's the right TDC when you feel air pressure pushing against your finger as you approach TDC (compression stoke in progress--)
Otherwise it's a 50-50 chance
S-
Do this while the engine is stone cold (don't want burnt fingers) Rotate the engine to that TDC position with a finger plugging the spark plug hole. You'll know it's the right TDC when you feel air pressure pushing against your finger as you approach TDC (compression stoke in progress--)
Otherwise it's a 50-50 chance
S-
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Tedybear,
I agree, I did not want to get too far into the directions. The best way is to rotate and when you hear or feel the compression of the piston out the spark plug hole then you are on or near the TDC . Or the old way (read teenager learning how in the 60's), try it one way and if it does not start, change the plug wires 180 out.
I agree, I did not want to get too far into the directions. The best way is to rotate and when you hear or feel the compression of the piston out the spark plug hole then you are on or near the TDC . Or the old way (read teenager learning how in the 60's), try it one way and if it does not start, change the plug wires 180 out.
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THANKS, for your help. Let me see if I got it right. Roate to number one value in up postion, look at rotor (the plastic tip) pointing to hole on cap to plug in cable from value one(TDC). Then correct me if I am wrong follow the firing order inprinted on my intake manifold. Is that correct? I thought I did mention my engine size, 390 CID with a 4 barrel intake manifold. I really appreaciate you help and any thing else you might thing of that will help me. I found this truck at an inpound lot sale. It looks like my Dads frist truck he told me it was my truck and took my on many camping and hunting trips. I am detrmined to make this truck driveable. I am not a macanic yet can do auto work if informed. My plan is to keep and contuine where someone left of Holly Carb, Headers, and hope that the cam has been upgraded. I have had to do a vale job that cost me $500.00 to redo the heads. I have put all the parts back on and found repaired a crack on the timing chain cover that led to me chaging the worn chain and gears, looked like plastic was worn off. I want to fire it up my Dad 1970 F-250 camper special automitic 390 cid 4brl, I need help and kinda want a Hot Rod feeling. What tips can you give me?
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: NJ
Some caps also have a mark on them for number #1, but if not the suggestions above are good ones to follow.
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(Let me see if I got it right. Roate to number one value in up postion)
Not the valve, the piston.
1-find number one cylinder (stand on drivers side, look at motor, head on engine nearest radiator is #1)
2- take out that spark plug
3- disconnect battery
4- rotate engine by hand until you hear compression coming out of spark plug hole
5- put small screw driver into spark plug hole and watch it go up while you rotate engine by hand
6- once it starts to come down go backwards and bring it to highest point. that is TDC #1 piston.
7- take distibutor cap off and the rotor should be pointing to #1 wire.
8- plug your wires into cap following the manifold firing numbers.
9- follow each wire to the cylinder
10- you know where #1 is, so #2 is next to #1, and #3 is next to #2 and so on. the cylinder directly accross the engine is #5.
Good luck
Not the valve, the piston.
1-find number one cylinder (stand on drivers side, look at motor, head on engine nearest radiator is #1)
2- take out that spark plug
3- disconnect battery
4- rotate engine by hand until you hear compression coming out of spark plug hole
5- put small screw driver into spark plug hole and watch it go up while you rotate engine by hand
6- once it starts to come down go backwards and bring it to highest point. that is TDC #1 piston.
7- take distibutor cap off and the rotor should be pointing to #1 wire.
8- plug your wires into cap following the manifold firing numbers.
9- follow each wire to the cylinder
10- you know where #1 is, so #2 is next to #1, and #3 is next to #2 and so on. the cylinder directly accross the engine is #5.
Good luck
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Mil1ion and 73f100shortbed,
good stuff. I could not remember which side #1 is on, those drawings really help. Even if he has a 460 it is the same firing order and cylinder order as the FE block.
cubamerica4me,
look at the drawing, this will give you rotation direction and where the cylinders are, so you will not have to find #1, just get it on TDC. Follow the lines for wiring and that will help you when you need to connect all the wires up to your distributor. Again good luck
JIM
good stuff. I could not remember which side #1 is on, those drawings really help. Even if he has a 460 it is the same firing order and cylinder order as the FE block.
cubamerica4me,
look at the drawing, this will give you rotation direction and where the cylinders are, so you will not have to find #1, just get it on TDC. Follow the lines for wiring and that will help you when you need to connect all the wires up to your distributor. Again good luck
JIM
