Installing distributor problem

[fordgirl]

I marked the position of the rotor before I removed my distributor. The new distributor will not allow the rotor to line up correctly. It is either a tooth too far forward or back. Last time this happened I had the wrong distributor. WHY WOULD THIS HAPPEN? Do I have the wrong distributor again?

95 f150 351W

Nothing was touched or moved while it was out.

 

[fatherdoug]

If I remember right, I had to clock the distributor shaft slightly counterclockwise of the previous mark in order to get the shaft to mesh. If you continue to push, the rotor will move slightly clockwise to slide into place.

 

[Fellro]

The oil pump shaft could well be keeping it from dropping all the way in. You always want it to be just a bit shy of where it should line up, not ahead, then bump the motor over slightly to help it align. Once you rotate the motor just a bit, it should finish dropping in.

 

[fordgirl]

It was the wrong year distributor. Thanks anyways.

 

[fordgirl]

Ok I am resurrecting this thread because I'm going to replace my distributor. Here is the issue: 1995 f150 5.8. I have a '96 dizzy in my truck. When I buy the one specified for my year it does NOT line up with previous markings. I can get a new '96 and it will line up with previous markings. The '95 dizzy is different dimensions than the one I currently have installed. This bothers me and I would really like to have the correct year dizzy on my truck. Finding TDC is out of my league so here are my options:
1. Just buy a new '96 and keep rocking a different year dizzy.
2. Put the '95 in and try to start my truck even though it looks a tooth off.
3. Buy a '95 and have a shop find TDC and install.

Suggestions?

 

[fordgirl]

So this thread just blew my mind: http://www.nloc.net/vbforum/archive/index.php/t-215260.html

The difference between these years of distributors is catastrophic engine failure. DO I HAVE A ROLLER CAM? because I definitely have a steel ditributor in my truck.

1995 f150 5.8 351W

 

[SuperCab]

I've never come across that bit of information before... See why you'd be worried!

A 1995 "shouldn't" have a roller cam as far as I know. When you say yours it steel you are referring to the actual drive gear on the bottom of the distributor as in that threa you linked to, correct?

Guessing - and this is just a wild guess - that a later distributor with the steel drive gear should be backwards compatible to a flat tappet cam. Don't know though.

 

[fordgirl]

Yea referring to the gear being steel. The cast iron '95 one looked identical but the shaft had 1-2mm difference, that's why I refused to use it in be beginning.

 

[fordgirl]

I put the '96 steel dizzy in, worked like a charm.

 

[SuperCab]

Awesome