Distributor installation

[joea]

I have read a couple of instructions on installing the distributor. It mentions marking the rotor direction on the manifold. I have a brand new manifold and distributor (ie no way to get a reference) How do I correctly install the distributor?

[Cobra75]

Turn the engine to TDC on the compression stroke. Using the cap as reference, mark the distributor housing where the rotor is pointed to #1. You will install the distributor with the vacuum advance can pointed forward, but first align the rotor with #1 which is opposite at the rear. Then turn it another 45° counterclockwise to allow for the rotation from the helical gears, and install. If it doesn't seat all the way, it is probably not aligned with the oil pump drive shaft. You'll need to rotate the crank a little until it seats.

[joea]

My distributor has no vacuum advance. How do I determine which terminal is #1 on the cap?

[Cobra75]

#1 should be marked on cap. Align it to rear of engine. If not, pick any one, just make sure the remainder are in the correct firing order.

Actually, the distributor doesn't know or care who is number one- only the order they are in-and that it's synched with the #1 piston. Vacuum advance traditionally faced forward which kept it from hitting other stuff and facilitated the hose/hard line connection.

[CJ428CJ]

Joea,

To explain it another way, what you're really doing is just making sure the rotor points to the #1 cylinder on the distributor cap with the engine at TDC on the compression stroke. It makes no difference which direction the rotor and number 1 spot on the cap points. But with that said, if you look at a Chilton's manual there's usually an illustration of the engine showing the firing order, the distributor, and how the cylinders are numbered. On a Ford FE, I think the rotor normally points to about the 1 or 2 o'clock position when viewed while standing in front of the engine.

Chris

[joea]

Thanks all

[KobraKarl]

Joe,

Exactly what chris said..

KK