302/347 Distributor Install

[Captainawesome]

Good morning all. With working remotely I have had some more time to put my car back together. We bought this car for like $1,000, but the car was in pieces. We built a new engine with the existing block (347). We primed the oil system and are about to install the distributor. We have the motor at 0 degrees at TDC. When installing the distributor, The rotor needs to be pointing at the number 1 cylinder terminal on the cap, which it is. I feel like I am missing something as far as aligning the distributor body. I read somewhere to align the ignition module to where it was originally, well my distributor was in the floor board of the car when I got it and the ignition module is on the passenger side fender apron. Can someone clear up as far as if I am missing something as far as installing a distributor on a fresh build? Car is a 1995 Mustang GT with factory distributor. Thank you in advance,

 

[90sickfox]

Pics would really help us pin point what you have going on. The issue with the distributor alignment only has to deal with the alignment of the TFI ( module ) to have clearance for additional rotation for alignment. If fuel injected there should be a black ( module ) attached to the distributor....unless the previous owner moved it and put it in a heat sink to protect from heat. Generally, it would be at about a 45° angle from front back towards drivers side. Allowing some movement towards the thermostat area.

 

[trebor3170]

94-95 have the TFI on the fender apron, reference to the position of the TFI is for 93 and prior. For a 95 you only need to worry about #1 plug wire. Also make sure you are at TDC on the compression stroke, both valves closed, if not you'll be 180 deg out.

 

[revhead347]

Compression stroke, and the balancer should be set around 10 deg btdc.

Kurt

 

[96pushrod]

As long as the rotor is pointing to the #1 terminal it doesn’t really matter. Don’t overthink trying to get it exact, that’s what a timing light is for. Just don’t forget to remove the spout when setting initial timing.

 

[revhead347]

As long as the rotor is pointing to the #1 terminal it doesn’t really matter. Don’t overthink trying to get it exact, that’s what a timing light is for. Just don’t forget to remove the spout when setting initial timing.

I've had better luck setting it up where I want it to be, and then fine tuning it with the light. Just my technique. Measure with a vernier, mark with a crayon, cut with an axe.

Kurt