[CarCrazy1001]

Hi, I have a 90 mustang with a bad distributor and was wondering how to change it. Do you just loosen the bolt that holds it in place and pull it up or is there more to it? I know I have to line the engine to TDC and mark the distributor where the rotor is pointing. The car has 120,000 miles on it. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

[BelfryExpress]

Originally Posted by CarCrazy1001

Hi, I have a 90 mustang with a bad distributor and was wondering how to change it. Do you just loosen the bolt that holds it in place and pull it up or is there more to it? I know I have to line the engine to TDC and mark the distributor where the rotor is pointing. The car has 120,000 miles on it. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

check out this thread...its got all you need to know

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...-1989-2-a.html

[RLG34750]

Disconnect primary wiring connector from distributor.
Mark position of No. 1 wire tower on distributor base.
Remove distributor cap and adapter and position aside leaving wiring attached.
Remove rotor to prevent damage.
Remove TFI connector.
Remove distributor hold-down bolt and clamp. Remove distributor. On vehicles equipped with security-type hold-down bolt, use tool T82L-12270-A or equivalent to remove hold-down bolt.
Turn engine until No. 1 piston is on compression stroke.
Align timing marks to proper initial timing.
Turn distributor shaft so rotor tip is pointing toward mark made in step 2 on distributor base.
Continue turning distributor shaft slightly so leading edge of vane is centered in switch stator assembly.
Rotate distributor in engine block to align leading edge of vane and vane switch and verify that rotor is pointing at No. 1 cap terminal. If vane and vane switch stator cannot be aligned by rotating distributor in engine block, pull distributor out of block enough to disengage distributor and to engage a different distributor gear tooth. Repeat steps 9, 10, and 11 as necessary.
Install distributor hold-down bolt and clamp without tightening.
Connect distributor TFI and primary wiring harnesses.
Install distributor rotor, cap adapter, and cap.
Using timing light, set initial timing according to specification given on Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal.
Torque distributor hold-down bolt to 17---25 ft. lbs.
Recheck timing and adjust, if necessary.

[CarCrazy1001]

Cool, Thanks for the help.

[pootitang]

Carcrazy,
Right on aligning to TDC,remove the pain in the a$$ distributor hold down bolt and the hold downplate (while its out it would be a good time to consider trading it out for a socket head,I found doing so makes it sooo much easier to adjust the timing as the allen head bits slide past the rotor cap and the PCV hose)remove rotor cap & note where the rotor is pointing
Unplug the TFI(ignition module,grey thing on side of distributor)
Pull up on the distributor to remove
If the replacement distributor did not come with a TFI module you will need to swap it over;remove the 6mm bolts(the parts stores sell a special tool just for this,under $10.00) and pull downward from base of the distributor and wipe off the heat sink grease take a piece of 1000 grit sand paper and "lap" --- polish the back of the ignition module and the distributor where they go together (the shinier and closer fit between the two the better. The ignition module gets pretty warm and the distributor acts as a heat sink drawing the heat from the module.)
Get some heat sink grease from Radio Shack or the like, you want the Silver type and mount the ignition module.
Install the distributor, may have to give it a slight twist clockwise paying attention to where the rotor is pointing, snug the distributor so you just move it
Plug the module back in and remove the SPOUT plug (its on the same piece of the wiring harness for the ignition module and start the engine when it warms up use timing light to get your base time set @10*
Lock the distributor down fully and replace the SPOUT plug and you've done it.
IF I said wrong some one correct me or add to this.......
hope this helped
T