• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

New motorcrafte distributor. and car wont turn over.

  • Thread starter Thread starter 88mustang50
  • Start date Start date Feb 14, 2008
8

88mustang50

New Member
Feb 2, 2008
20
0
0
Round Rock Texas
Feb 14, 2008
#1
  • Feb 14, 2008
  • #1
i just bought a new distributor and put it in and now the car wont turn over the starter is perfect and trys like hell but the car just sits and will back fire every once in awhile.
any ideas or thoughts???
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Feb 14, 2008
#2
  • Feb 14, 2008
  • #2
The starter will not turn the engine or the engine will not fire off and run?
 
8

88mustang50

New Member
Feb 2, 2008
20
0
0
Round Rock Texas
Feb 14, 2008
#3
  • Feb 14, 2008
  • #3
jrichker said:
The starter will not turn the engine or the engine will not fire off and run?
Click to expand...

engine will not fire off and run.
i can hear the starter trying.
but it wont actually turn on.

do you have another one of those fix it pages for this ???
that other one helped me alot!!!
and thanks for that.
 

93 LX

Founding Member
Jun 2, 2000
3,081
3
0
Norwalk, CA.
Feb 15, 2008
#4
  • Feb 15, 2008
  • #4
Turning over means the engine will spin.. your problem discription makes one think that the engine will not turn like its frozen.

Did you check the timing? Are you sure you put the dizzy in the right way? Meaning not 180 degrees out? Just because the the timing marks onthe balancer are at zero it does not mean the dizzy is pointed to cylinder one.

Recheck your work and make sure you are on one and both valves are closed.
 
8

88mustang50

New Member
Feb 2, 2008
20
0
0
Round Rock Texas
Feb 15, 2008
#5
  • Feb 15, 2008
  • #5
93 LX said:
Turning over means the engine will spin.. your problem discription makes one think that the engine will not turn like its frozen.

Did you check the timing? Are you sure you put the dizzy in the right way? Meaning not 180 degrees out? Just because the the timing marks onthe balancer are at zero it does not mean the dizzy is pointed to cylinder one.

Recheck your work and make sure you are on one and both valves are closed.
Click to expand...

no the motor turns when the ignition being pressed.
it just wont actually run.
180 degrees out???
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Feb 15, 2008
#6
  • Feb 15, 2008
  • #6
Normally I'd just let JR post but since you're online right now..............

Here's JRichker's checklist:

http://forums.stangnet.com/showpost.php?p=6161267
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Feb 15, 2008
#7
  • Feb 15, 2008
  • #7
Putting the distributor back in is fairly simple. Pull #1 sparkplug, put your finger in the sparkplug hole, crank the engine until you feel compression. Then line up the TDC mark on the balancer with the pointer on the engine block.

The distributor starts out with the #1 plug wire lined up at about 12:00 with you facing it. Align the rotor to about 11:00, since it will turn clockwise as it slides into place.

Align the distributor rotor up with the #1 position marked on the cap, slide the distributor down into the block, (you may have to wiggle the rotor slightly to get the gear to engage) and then note where the rotor is pointing. If it still lines up with #1 position on the cap, install the clamp and bolt. If not, pull it out and turn 1 tooth forwards or backwards and try again. Put the #1 spark plug back in and tighten it down, put the clamp on the distributor, but don't tighten it too much, as you will have to move the distributor to set the timing. Note that if it doesn't align perfectly with #1 position, you can turn the distributor until it does. The only problem is that if you are too far one way or the other, you can't turn the distributor enough to get the 10-14 degree optimum timing range.

At this point hook up all the wires, get out the timing light and start the engine. Set the timing where your car runs best. Don't forget to disconnect the SPOUT jumper connector when you set the timing, and plug it back in when you finish.

The HO firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.
Non HO firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Drivetrain 83’ Glx convertible C5 Trans help!
  • JacksonJared2113
  • Dec 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
397
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 26, 2025
JacksonJared2113
M
2004 v8 convertible
  • Mikeycrownvicluver
  • Feb 12, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
11
Views
372
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Feb 15, 2026
Mikeycrownvicluver
M
B
No spark. 1990 foxbody 5.0 gt
  • Boogi
  • Nov 16, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
188
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 16, 2025
Boogi
B
8
Engine Rough idle and aggressive sputtering when accelerating
  • 88vertible
  • Aug 13, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 13, 2025
Jarhead67
J
1
Engine 91 mustang 302 Low acceleration car backfires pops and acts like it doesn’t want to take fuel
  • 1991Fox5.0
  • Oct 4, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 6, 2025
1991Fox5.0
1
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?