• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Pip replacement/distributor ??????

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bosko5.0
  • Start date Start date Sep 5, 2011

Bosko5.0

Active Member
May 18, 2006
1,067
0
37
longwood, FL
Sep 5, 2011
#1
  • Sep 5, 2011
  • #1
I helped replace my brothers pip sensor in his car a month ago. we had a hard time getting the dist shaft out because it had old oil or grease baked on it, we used pb blaster and brake cleaner to get it off. We greased the distributor shaft put it back in, spun easily. now a month later it's binding and squeeking Did i not do it right ?? was I suppose to fill it with oil.


On a side note i replaced mine 3 days ago and the seal on the bottom of the distributor got ripped off while I was cleaning it, Do I need it???
 

99FiveOh

15 Year Member
May 20, 2006
2,051
20
99
J-Ville, FL
Sep 5, 2011
#2
  • Sep 5, 2011
  • #2
I never could understand why the squeaking thing happens. It's hit or miss. I've been able to successfully resurface the bearing and shaft and have it last until I sold the car. Other times it would squeak withing months!

Now I just opt to buy the brand new distributors instead of rebuilt ones or rebuilding mine.

That bottom seal keeps oil from making it's way up into the electronics. It is more of a splash seal than anything. I say run it and check it out from time to time.
 

Canary94GT

Member
Jun 27, 2009
127
0
17
Seattle, WA
Sep 6, 2011
#3
  • Sep 6, 2011
  • #3
My guess is the pb blaster and/or the brake cleaner ruins/removes something
 

ratio411

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2002
3,870
73
109
Pensacola FL
Sep 6, 2011
#4
  • Sep 6, 2011
  • #4
May I horn in on your thread and ask what are the symptoms of a bad distributor?
 

99FiveOh

15 Year Member
May 20, 2006
2,051
20
99
J-Ville, FL
Sep 6, 2011
#5
  • Sep 6, 2011
  • #5
Canary94GT said:
My guess is the pb blaster and/or the brake cleaner ruins/removes something
Click to expand...

Yeah, this sounds more like it. I'll be there is some kind of very high heat resistant lube that goes on the shaft (minds out of the gutter please!). Regular bearing grease probably just vaporized or "coked" like turbo bearings do.

And maybe that seal at the bottom is responsible for keeping that lube inside the distributor more than it keeps motor oil out?
 

ProKiller

Founding Member
Apr 26, 2002
3,064
15
78
PA
Sep 6, 2011
#6
  • Sep 6, 2011
  • #6
ratio411 said:
May I horn in on your thread and ask what are the symptoms of a bad distributor?
Click to expand...

lack of power, car doesn't want to start after its warm. or gets worse with heat.

Long time no post Robin, how you been?
 

Canary94GT

Member
Jun 27, 2009
127
0
17
Seattle, WA
Sep 6, 2011
#7
  • Sep 6, 2011
  • #7
NotA4.6 said:
Yeah, this sounds more like it. I'll be there is some kind of very high heat resistant lube that goes on the shaft (minds out of the gutter please!). Regular bearing grease probably just vaporized or "coked" like turbo bearings do.

And maybe that seal at the bottom is responsible for keeping that lube inside the distributor more than it keeps motor oil out?
Click to expand...

Definitely could be. I know when I was younger I destroyed a few of my gas powered scooter bearings by spraying them with wd40, which pretty much removed all of the bearing grease and began letting fine particles in.
 

Bosko5.0

Active Member
May 18, 2006
1,067
0
37
longwood, FL
Sep 15, 2011
#8
  • Sep 15, 2011
  • #8
Sorry for taking so long to respond, haven't had any time working two jobs 7 days a week.

Both mine and his were dying at idle at stop lights. Mine didn't throw a code but his did.
I believe the seal is to keep the crank case gases from getting into the distributor.


Well it turns out he used some old white lithuim grease.
well it went from bad to worse. He pulled the distributor and forgot to mark where the rotor was, so we put #1 at TDC ended up being on the exhuast stroke it fired right away with a backfire throught the intake, now he has a metal clunking noise.

Iam assuming it was directly at tdc and it broke a rod bolt. Luckly he has another mustang thats totaled with a good engine,only problem I work all the time and he works 5 days with college.
 

99FiveOh

15 Year Member
May 20, 2006
2,051
20
99
J-Ville, FL
Sep 15, 2011
#9
  • Sep 15, 2011
  • #9
It's too bad I'm all the way up here in Jacksonville or I'd come assist.
 

Canary94GT

Member
Jun 27, 2009
127
0
17
Seattle, WA
Sep 15, 2011
#10
  • Sep 15, 2011
  • #10
Ouch man, sorry to hear that
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,645
214
Acworth, GA
Sep 16, 2011
#11
  • Sep 16, 2011
  • #11
I don't think I've ever changed a PIP. I just don't see the point when you can buy a rebuilt distributer for $100.

Kurt
 

99FiveOh

15 Year Member
May 20, 2006
2,051
20
99
J-Ville, FL
Sep 16, 2011
#12
  • Sep 16, 2011
  • #12
revhead347 said:
I don't think I've ever changed a PIP. I just don't see the point when you can buy a BRAND NEW distributer for $100.

Kurt
Click to expand...

Fixd it for ya!
 

Canary94GT

Member
Jun 27, 2009
127
0
17
Seattle, WA
Sep 16, 2011
#13
  • Sep 16, 2011
  • #13
Yeah I agree, especially when the PIP itself is around $30.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Running rough
  • Mike3
  • Dec 31, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
403
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 1, 2026
Mike3
M
Resolved Does anybody recognise this distributor gear?
  • x_man586
  • Jun 4, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
537
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 24, 2025
x_man586
N
Edelbrock 1405 Setup
  • nathantaylor200
  • Nov 4, 2025
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Replies
3
Views
249
Classic Mustang Specific Tech Nov 5, 2025
nathantaylor200
N
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
977
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
Drivetrain How much resistance, if any at all, is normal on a new 1st gear and synchro on a WC T5 transmission?
  • sleep-e
  • Jan 21, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
263
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 22, 2026
sleep-e
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific 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?