When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Ok guys here's the situation. I've got an 88 f-150 w/ a 300I6. The distributor is fairly low on the side of this motor. While off-road this weekend we hit some 2+ foot water holes. After a few off these the inside of the distributor cap was soaked and she of course wouldn't run till I took it off and dried it out. Imagine my buddy in his GMC offering to pull me out of the water so I could work on my truck on dry land. I said I'd rather get wet! So what can I do to keep from having this problem next time? ( besides avoiding water :-))Looking for a quick fix if there is one. Thanks for any help you can offer! Scott
I have had this problem myself before, but only once. Ever since it happened the first time just playing in a little bit of water, I bought myself a spray bottle of silicone spray. I also have a 300 i/l 6 in my truck. I keep the bottle in my truck with me at all times. If I happen to take a detour on some side road, and plan on getting wet I simply stop, pop the hood and give her a shot of silicone. You can spray the whole distributor and wires, and even up around where the spark plug and wires meet. This should cure your problem and you can pick up the spray just about anywhere. I happened to get mine at the local Pep Boys.
Rubberized undercoating works well too. I sprayed it on my 69 Ford that kept drowning out. Just don't plan on taking the distributor cap off anytime soon. One coat of rubber and its sealed for quite a while and has to be cut off to remove the cap.
Have you tried finding a rubber boot to put around the distributor?? The 5.0L mustangs have them and Ford makes them.I've got one on my '95 302,but im not sure if it would work on a 6 cylinder cap,but maybe you could modify it. Windsor
ive had good luck taking the distributor cap off and put a bead of silicone(RTV) around the cap where it meets the dist. housing,put the cap back on then spray the cap with sil. spray or hairspray.
Go to your local auto parts store and get yourself a tube of die-electric grease or a tube of plain old 100% silicone and use it between your upper and lower caps and on all of your spark plug wires. Great waterproofing and you'll never have another spark plug boot become one with the sparkplug again. Don't let the chevys' get you down. We all know that there is only one real truck manufacturer. Good wheelin'!