Sorry if this is the wrong place I'm new to this forum. I have a 1986 mustang GT with what I believe to be the 5.0 HO (according to vin). Basically the distributor is so out of wack the car doesn't run and there's no indication of where it used to be. Basically how do I get it back to correct ignition timing? Sorry if I ask some dumb questions I'm 17 and this is my first mustang. I have confirmed it has spark and I've triple checked all the plug wires and it has new plugs. So I'm assuming the distributor is what's out of time. It does have a MSD distributor.
Ignition Timing
- Thread starter churdle
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Welcome to 
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First, since you didn't mention, is it getting fuel? What kind of history do you know about the car? It may be possible that it's something else if the distributor has never been pulled from the engine.
Now, to reset the distributor, you'll need to ensure that the #1 cylinder is at the top of the compression stroke. There are a few ways to do this. The first and probably the easiest to do without special tools or removing anything from the engine except a spark plug - take a rag or paper towel and plug the spark plug hole, then bump the key until the rag blows out of the hole. That is good enough to get you in the ball park to check your distributor rotor to see if it's even close. Another way would be to pull the valve cover to see when both valves indicate that you're on the compression stroke. A third way would require a piston stop, but I'll assume that you may not have that so I won't go into detail about how to use it. Once you've determined that the piston is at TDC on the compression stroke, you install the distributor with the rotor facing the #1 terminal on the cap. Once that's in place, you'd pull the spout connector (if your car is equipped), start the engine and time it.
!First, since you didn't mention, is it getting fuel? What kind of history do you know about the car? It may be possible that it's something else if the distributor has never been pulled from the engine.
Now, to reset the distributor, you'll need to ensure that the #1 cylinder is at the top of the compression stroke. There are a few ways to do this. The first and probably the easiest to do without special tools or removing anything from the engine except a spark plug - take a rag or paper towel and plug the spark plug hole, then bump the key until the rag blows out of the hole. That is good enough to get you in the ball park to check your distributor rotor to see if it's even close. Another way would be to pull the valve cover to see when both valves indicate that you're on the compression stroke. A third way would require a piston stop, but I'll assume that you may not have that so I won't go into detail about how to use it. Once you've determined that the piston is at TDC on the compression stroke, you install the distributor with the rotor facing the #1 terminal on the cap. Once that's in place, you'd pull the spout connector (if your car is equipped), start the engine and time it.
89ripper
Founding Member
It actually was getting too much fuel I replaced the regulator and turned it down now it gets 55psi. I'll reset the distributor and use a timing light to dial it inWelcome to
First, since you didn't mention, is it getting fuel? What kind of history do you know about the car? It may be possible that it's something else if the distributor has never been pulled from the engine.
Now, to reset the distributor, you'll need to ensure that the #1 cylinder is at the top of the compression stroke. There are a few ways to do this. The first and probably the easiest to do without special tools or removing anything from the engine except a spark plug - take a rag or paper towel and plug the spark plug hole, then bump the key until the rag blows out of the hole. That is good enough to get you in the ball park to check your distributor rotor to see if it's even close. Another way would be to pull the valve cover to see when both valves indicate that you're on the compression stroke. A third way would require a piston stop, but I'll assume that you may not have that so I won't go into detail about how to use it. Once you've determined that the piston is at TDC on the compression stroke, you install the distributor with the rotor facing the #1 terminal on the cap. Once that's in place, you'd pull the spout connector (if your car is equipped), start the engine and time it.
I might be wrong, and someone can correct me if I am, but aren't stock regulators set at something like 39 psi? It might be an issue if you're giving it 55 psi. 
Your fuel pressure needs to be set at 39 psi with the vacuum line disconnected from the fuel pressure regulator. Of course, you have to have the car running to adjust the fuel pressure regulator.
Bill
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