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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Distributor Issues

  • Thread starter Thread starter tamadrummer88
  • Start date Start date Oct 6, 2014

tamadrummer88

Active Member
Aug 19, 2005
599
79
39
Aloha State
Oct 6, 2014
#1
  • Oct 6, 2014
  • #1
So for a while I've been having idling and starting issues. A few days ago it just decided it didn't wanna run. Turn it over, runs than dies, all within a second. Changed the plugs, no avail. Checked the fuel pressure, full pressure coming to the rail. Checked each cylinder, and theres spark going to each cylinder. I suspected the TFI module. I played around with the wiring, wiggled the harness, unplugged it, to no avail. My dad used this old school ignition box (i guess a way to test the distributor) He ran two leads to the battery, and then one wire goes to the coil terminal on the cap, bypassing the coil. supplied power to the distributor. Tried to start it, and no avail. So we concluded that it may be, indeed, the distributor.

We removed it and found that we can replace the pickup. So the plan is to replace the pickup and the TFI module. Upon trying to disassemble it, it seems that i have to literally break down the entire unit just to replace the pickup, which led me to think about replacing the entire distributor. Does anyone know if motorcraft still makes distributors, or who sells quality stock replacements? Would it be worth it to check out aftermarket replacements, such as the hot forged unit from 50 resto? I heard enough bad things about MSD distributors to stay away from them.


Thanks guys.
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,645
214
Acworth, GA
Oct 6, 2014
#2
  • Oct 6, 2014
  • #2
Stock replacement rebuilt is the way to go. About $100 at the parts store. There are multiple brands like the Richporter, but the general consensus is that they are all about the same.

Kurt
 
Reactions: tamadrummer88

tamadrummer88

Active Member
Aug 19, 2005
599
79
39
Aloha State
Oct 6, 2014
#3
  • Oct 6, 2014
  • #3
Sounds good. I guess ill try O'Reillys.
 

Liltwinstang

New Member
Oct 3, 2014
24
0
1
Houston, Texas
Oct 6, 2014
#4
  • Oct 6, 2014
  • #4
My distributor failed and I replaced it with an MSD complete distributor. Been rolling ever since.
 

90lxwhite

I'm kind of a She-Man
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2011
3,310
374
134
Between the Red and Rio
Oct 7, 2014
#5
  • Oct 7, 2014
  • #5
Sorry for the jacking but how hard for a 1st timer to stab one in?
 

Liltwinstang

New Member
Oct 3, 2014
24
0
1
Houston, Texas
Oct 7, 2014
#6
  • Oct 7, 2014
  • #6
The first timer can do it ,the cap needs to be removed note the position of the rotor, disconnect wiring to TFI module, take a sharpie and trace a line over the timing cover depicting the orientation of the TFI module on the distributor, take a sharpie and also mark the rotor position inside the distributor. Place rotor orientation Mark inside the distributor on new distributor, at this point you can remove the bolt holding down the distributor, you can now remove the distributor by lifting it straight up and replace it with the new one mimicking the old position exactly, both TFI position and rotor position. When you are sure everything is matched up correctly then you can bolt the distributor down and install the cap and plug in the plug to the TFI module. If done correctly no timing light is necessary, but is a good practice. I would refer to a repair manual also. Good luck to you!
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,645
214
Acworth, GA
Oct 7, 2014
#7
  • Oct 7, 2014
  • #7
Liltwinstang said:
My distributor failed and I replaced it with an MSD complete distributor. Been rolling ever since.
Click to expand...

Someone posted on here some time ago that they went through a few MSDs in a row under warranty. They finally took apart the MSD and put a quality BWD pip in it and it went failure free for thousands of miles after that.

Kurt
 

Liltwinstang

New Member
Oct 3, 2014
24
0
1
Houston, Texas
Oct 7, 2014
#8
  • Oct 7, 2014
  • #8
I certainly hope that I don't have any problems with mine. It's been going for several thousand miles in working flawless. Even the top name brands will have their problems.
 

hoopty5.0

mechanicus terribilis
15 Year Member
Dec 14, 2010
7,788
6,940
214
SW Houston
Oct 8, 2014
#9
  • Oct 8, 2014
  • #9
Liltwinstang said:
I certainly hope that I don't have any problems with mine. It's been going for several thousand miles in working flawless. Even the top name brands will have their problems.
Click to expand...
What part of town are you in?
 

Liltwinstang

New Member
Oct 3, 2014
24
0
1
Houston, Texas
Oct 8, 2014
#10
  • Oct 8, 2014
  • #10
hoopty5.0 said:
What part of town are you in?
Click to expand...
Nw Houston.
 

90lxwhite

I'm kind of a She-Man
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2011
3,310
374
134
Between the Red and Rio
Oct 8, 2014
#11
  • Oct 8, 2014
  • #11
Liltwinstang said:
Nw Houston.
Click to expand...
How bout them Cowboys
 
Reactions: Liltwinstang

tamadrummer88

Active Member
Aug 19, 2005
599
79
39
Aloha State
Oct 10, 2014
#12
  • Oct 10, 2014
  • #12
revhead347 said:
Stock replacement rebuilt is the way to go. About $100 at the parts store. There are multiple brands like the Richporter, but the general consensus is that they are all about the same.

Kurt
Click to expand...

Yep, picked up a Richporter this afternoon at Oreilleys for about 120 bucks. Looks like a quality piece. Gonna attempt to install it this weekend.
 
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