Distibutor install

[94TURBO5 O]

When I installed my distibutor I turned the shaft a little. Is it possible that the timing gear or chain was moving down there? I searched and no one asked this question yet. I'm just curious b/c I could feel some resistance when I was twisting it. I will remember this exp. forever and learn right away to mark the housing next time!

 

[stangbanger94]

The timing gear and chain would not move unless you spun the motor. Other than that, your timing marks should be right on.If you're unsure, spin the motor by hand, and reset your motor to 0 degrees, and re-install your distributor, with the rotor pointing towards cyl #1

 

[stangbanger94]

This is as long as your cam wasn't degreed in anyway, and also remember that you may have to set your distributor a few times before it's right on the money

 

[94TURBO5 O]

Good 2 Go! I am straight then...I didn't move the crank and it is still on zero. Nice! I can't wait to have this thing back together its been a month now.

Thanks!

 

[zenboy99]

I would go ahead and check your timing anyway. I put in a new distributor last week. I marked the old distributor in 3 places, but when I put the new distributor in the same way, my timing was off 10 degrees. I have no clue how that happened, but I spent awhile wondering why my car didn't have any power and wouldn't idle

 

[5spd GT]

This is as long as your cam wasn't degreed in anyway, and also remember that you may have to set your distributor a few times before it's right on the money

Sorry I guess its early for me...but what does degreeing the cam have an effect on the timing...do you mean since the engine has been rotated?...

 

[stangbanger94]

some cams can actually be degreed + or - certain degrees(advanced or retarded) on initial installation because they are designed that way. For example.. I had a wolverine blue racer cam(now discontiued), and for it to make the proper power it was supposed to, it had to be retarded (degreed) when I installed it. So that was what I was mentioning. You can't install that cam strait up and down like you can with a ford motorsport cam, or other cams. So that was why I was mentioning it.

 

[5spd GT]

some cams can actually be degreed + or - certain degrees(advanced or retarded) on initial installation because they are designed that way. For example.. I had a wolverine blue racer cam(now discontiued), and for it to make the proper power it was supposed to, it had to be retarded (degreed) when I installed it. So that was what I was mentioning. You can't install that cam strait up and down like you can with a ford motorsport cam, or other cams. So that was why I was mentioning it.

Alright...cool...so with my FTI cam I can degree it with the kit...and it isn't going to effect my installation of the distributor...I can just rotate the engine to 0 (TDC) and point the rotor to the #1 cylinder terminal under the cap...and put it in...

The whole degreeing the cam has got me confused...lol...I guess I'm going to "splurge" and by the video along with the kit...