OK, quick update, finishing up 5.0 build for my 94 F150 shortbed, M5OD, swapping it for the 4.9/300. I built a 94 roller block with a Crane roller cam. My donor truck is 1990 F150 which I am using the computer and engine wiring harness.

I know the distributor will not work unless I change the cast gear to steel. I'm looking at some late '80's to mid '90's mustang distributors on e-bay. Two questions - 1. Any 5.0 Mustang should have the steel gear distributor and be compatible with my roller cam? 2. Whats the deal with TFI? Does the system from the donor truck have it? Will a mustang distributor have it?

Thanks for any help you can give me.....

Craig

 

For roller cam motors, use the '85 Mustang GT 5.0 (w/manual trans) dizzy. Earlier Mustangs had flat tappet cams. '85 Mustang GT's w/auto trans had the modules on the side of the dizzy body as did all Mustang GT's starting in '86. Being new to the EFI truck world, I'm assuming you don't need a module mounted dizzy, as my '92Flare doesn't have it.

Lee

 

OK, help me out here. Dizzy is slang for distributor? 85 Mustang 5.0 distributors were roller and therefore steel gear, so up to what year, 95? Module mounted? If I get a distributor from a 85 to 95(?) Mustang 5.0 will I be plug and play on the distributor with my 1990 F150 harness?

Thanks

 

Before I get too far out on this little skinny branch and fall off, I'll tell you what I know, and maybe someone like Conanski will save me. Yes, dizzy is another word for distributor. TFI, in Ford jargon, stands for Thin Film Integration, having to do with how their ignition coils are made. Those coils also use spade connectors in a two pin terminal that plugs into the coil, whereas the older canister style coils used press-on sleeve style terminals. Yes, Ford started using the TFI coils in the mid-'80's and Mustangs do have them

In '85, the 5.0 Mustangs went to hydraulic roller cams, and therefore the distributors got steel gears instead of cast iron. Now here's the rub. The
Mustang GT stick trans car uses a different distributor than the automatic car. We hot rodders like the stick distributor because it only has an AC reluctor, or pick-up coil within, that provides an AC voltage to a Duraspark external module or in some cases (like myself) a GM HEI module for spark triggering. This distributor has no input to an ECM or an output required from it. ON the otherhand, the auto trans dizzy has an external ign. module mounted on the distributor body that is ECM oriented and in need of the ecm to function.

What makes your question sticky, and where I'll end up with both feet in my mouth, is the fact that my brothers' '87 F150 5.0 had a distributor with an ign. module on its' side, whereas my '92 does not! And for all intent and purpose both engines seem the same to me, so, I'm gonna say, find a truck with the powerplant similar to what you intend on using and mimic that as best you can (help me Conanski, help me! I'm sinking fast)

Is that any more clear, or did I make matters worse?

Lee

 

Any 5.0HO EFI distributor will work here, but you can also just change the drive gear on your truck dissy and be done.

 

Thanks Leesflare, I often rely on Conanski to come to the rescue too! Thanks again Paul.

 

Oh yeah, and all Mustang EFI 5.0's are considered HO. correct?

 

Yes, dizzy is slang for distributor.

1985-1995 use distributors with steel gears.

1994 & 1995 have the module mounted remotely from the distributor.

If you decide on a complete unit, see our new "Hot Forged" distributors at:

http://www.performancedistributors.c...istributor.htm