Engine Distributor Interchange List

[Wayne Waldrep]

Been sitting here searching. Haven't found the answer yet.

87-93 mustang 5.0L distributor. I want to build me a spare. I have some parts and posted on here once before looking for a couple pieces with no responses. So if anybody has the center "rod" and brass sleeves (flanges w/roll pin) you'll part with please let know.

So i guess I'll try junkyards. There's just none around here with mustangs. So can we make a list of every other vehicle that uses this distributor? I need that info.
Specifically....
1. Which are straight drop in (same electronics & gear)
2. Which housings and center "rod" or whatever it's called will work if i change the electronics?

I'd appreciate the help.

 

[Noobz347]

I guess I am a little confused but only by your search for small pieces and parts.

What I mean is: There doesn't see to be a shortage of "cheap", used distributors.

Finding NOS wear items is the portion that is becoming the challenge.

I'm sure you've looked at Ebay already but man... You can still get a dozen used ones, cheaper than you can a bouquet of roses.


Anywho... I digress:



Here are some crappy notes and is probably not [all] inclusive:

Vehicle	Years	Engine/Application
Ford Mustang (Fox‑body)	1986–1993	5.0 L V8 – standard fit
Ford Country Squire	1987–1991	5.0 L/302 V8
Ford LTD	1986	same distributor
Ford LTD Crown Victoria	1987–1991	same fitment
Ford Thunderbird	1986–1988	5.0 L engine
Lincoln Continental	1986–1987	fits same TFI unit
Lincoln Mark VII	1986–1992	identical distributor
Lincoln Town Car	1986–1990	same distributor
Mercury Capri	1986	same fitment
Mercury Cougar	1986–1988	identical distributor
Mercury Colony Park	1986–1987	same distributor
Mercury Grand Marquis	1987–1991	TFI distributor used

 

[Wayne Waldrep]

Thanks Noobz. First off, i have a factory housing. I'd like to use it. I just need the inner rod and bushings. Second.... I'm poor. Cheap is cheap but it's still money. Surely if i have parts laying around others do as well. I've seen people swapping parts around numerous times on here. Hoping i can do the same.

Thanks for the chart. Can you tell me what the difference in identical vs same distributor is? And same fitment vs same distributor? Please. The calm laid back version of the answer....lol

 

[Noobz347]

Thanks Noobz. First off, i have a factory housing. I'd like to use it. I just need the inner rod and bushings. Second.... I'm poor. Cheap is cheap but it's still money. Surely if i have parts laying around others do as well. I've seen people swapping parts around numerous times on here. Hoping i can do the same.

Thanks for the chart. Can you tell me what the difference in identical vs same distributor is? And same fitment vs same distributor? Please. The calm laid back version of the answer....lol

I would suggest making a thread in the "WTB" forum. If anybody has parts laying around holding their papers down, they might see that thread.

Also.... Waaaaaaaaaay down at the bottom of the page, I have this:



Known Good Original Ford Part Numbers
E6ZE-12127-BA or E7ZE-12127-CA – Common on 1986–1989 5.0L Mustangs

Motorcraft Part: DU-30 (or DU30)

Ford Engineering Number: F2PZ-12127-A for later versions

These were used on everything from Mustangs to Town Cars and had steel gears mated specifically for the hydraulic flat-tappet cam in the 5.0L.

I remember thinking that no matter what gear came on what, that it would get swapped out for the correct, [roller] steel gear. Just to be sure. The magnet test is not the end all because there were some iron gears too, if I recall.

 

[Noobz347]

And you're not being, "cheap".

Aftermarket distributors for our cars are [mostly] garbage.

 

[Noobz347]

Thanks for the chart. Can you tell me what the difference in identical vs same distributor is? And same fitment vs same distributor? Please. The calm laid back version of the answer....lol

It depends on the application. Some have longer shafts than others but the length of the shaft is irrelevant.

The gear of course, is application specific.

The electronics, (PiP, TFI) are the same per application but I think you're already aware of the differences between the TFI for a manual and one for an Auto. Finding NOS PiP sensors can be a challenge.

 

[Wayne Waldrep]

There's a junk yard here that has very good prices. It's just about 50 miles away so i don't want to drive for nothing. I was hoping an actual list would help me and others. If you can tell me the question i had on your list, that might be the best list.

I know there's several guys on here that have this info readily available in the head. Hoping they will contribute as well.

 

[Wayne Waldrep]

And I've never heard of the TFI module being different from auto to manual. Hmmm

 

[Noobz347]

Where I wrote "identical" it means it has all the same parts as a roller distributor and "same" meant that it has the same housing and contained parts that were questionably, not the same as a roller distributor.



Also.... I just came across this explanation for the TFIs. It's better than my description:

Feature	Gray TFI (Push-Start)	Black TFI (CCD)
ECU Strategy	Push-start dwell, ECU later takes over	ECU controls dwell from crank
Timing Control	Mechanical/ECU hybrid	ECU dominant
Vehicles	Early EFI, CFI, carb'd models	Later HO EFI systems
Emissions Calibration	Basic	Advanced
Performance	Basic ignition map	Tuned for 5.0 HO, precise advance curves
Compatibility	Not cross-compatible with black modules	Not cross-compatible with gray modules

Interchange Warning:
Physically interchangeable, but electrically incompatible. Swapping the wrong one causes:

• Hard starts
• Timing issues
• Misfires
• Possible no-starts
  …and worst-case, a blown ECM.

---

How to Tell Them Apart​

• Color-coded plastic body—gray or black
• Stamped numbers like E43E, E63E, etc.
• Black modules were exclusive to computer-controlled dwell systems (CCD) found in '87–'93 Mustang GT/LX 5.0 HO and similar vehicles.
• If you’re unsure—use Motorcraft and match by part number and year/model.

I never gave this part much thought because I've always used the same part number, every time.

 

[Wayne Waldrep]

Thank you bud.