I removed my distributor from my ford inline 6 cylinder engine but I forgot to mark the location. How do I put it back in the right position, and how do I find TDC?

First bring the engine up to top dead center and compression stroke confirmed on No 1 cylinder. Next remove distributor cap and verify the rotor is pointing toward No 1 cylinder. Next get a paint marker preferably yellow, and mark on the engine block exactly where the rotor is pointing. Next make a mark on the distributor and the block in line so as to make sure the distributor is aligned exactly in the same location it was removed from. Take note of what direction the pointer moved as you lift the distributor, as the rotor will have to be pointed in that same direction when you go to put the distributor back. It should rotate an 1/8th of a turn as you remove it. If another distributor is being put in it's place, then mark the new distributor in the exact same place as the old distributor where you marked it.

Firing order: 1-6-5-4-3-2 Distributor rotation: clockwise





4.3L Engine
Firing order: 1-6-5-4-3-2
Distributorless ignition system


M's cylinders are 1 first left, 2 first right, 3 second left, 4 second right, 5 thrid left, 6 third right... from front to back... Fords are 123 left 456 right... unless its an inline... So if they are all on one side of the disributor they are probably wrong... This is why I love Haynes manuals... They show positions of distributor caps and cylinders for firing order and timing... Pretty much almost everything you need... So the firing order on the distributor should match the way they number the cylinders...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOR-9JZUUI0

I assume its a V8 and probably a 5.0L

5.0= 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 firing order

5.0 HO and 351 Windsor share 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 firing order

Cylinder numbering:

When looking into the engine bay the number one cylinder should be on your left hand side (left bank) at the front of the engine. The number eight cylinder is on the rear right (right bank) up against the firewall.

Firewall
4 8
3 7
2 6
1 5
Front bumper

distributer turns counter clockwize (#1 should be labelled on cap)

rotor must point to # 1 spark plug wire . when # one piston is up on compression stroke.check your timeming marks on crankshaft if they show you are in time and it will not run but is back fireing you are 180 degrees out .pull distrubtor and turn it 180 degrees put rotor back on # 1 plug it should fire up.If you found this helpful please give me a good review

1. Remove the distributor cap from the distributor, and set it aside (spark plug wires still connected).
   
2. Disconnect the harness connector.
3. Remove the distributor.
4. Remove the TFI module retaining screws.
5. To disengage the TFI module's terminals from the distributor base connector, pull the right side of the module down the distributor mounting flange and then back up. Carefully pull the module toward the flange and away from the distributor.
   
6. Coat the TFI module baseplate with a thin layer of silicone grease (FD7AZ-19A331-A or its equivalent).
7. Place the TFI module on the distributor base mounting flange. Position the module assembly toward the distributor bowl and carefully engage the distributor connector pins. Install and torque the two TFI module retaining screws to 9-16 inch lbs.
8. Install the distributor assembly.
9. Install the distributor cap and check the engine timing.

Hi Mike.

No sir, no computer reset.

Use cylinder #5 TDC compression stroke to set up the timing marks on the harmonic balancer and point the rotor at the #5 ignition terminal on the cap.
Also when you get it running, use #5 wire to set your timing to 10 degrees with the spout connector at the distributor unplugged.
Not sure why Ford used #5 cylinder on the 4.9, probably just a joke by the engineers.

Thank you for using FixYa.

KL

Check this Ford 429 engine...

1 - 5 - 4 - 2 - 6 - 3 - 7 - 8
The distributor rotor turns COUNTERCLOCKWISE

The marked # 1 position on the distributor cap faces to the rear and slightly towards the drivers side

The engine cylinders / spark plug locations are numbered:
firewall
4 - 8
3 - 7
2 - 6
1 - 5
front

Hope helps (remember rated and comment this).

Distributorless Ignition is not adjustable However the Distributor Ignition System is
1 Place Transmission in Park on Manual (Neutral and set Park Brake
2 Ensure all accessories are off AC ,Heater, Radio, ETC...
3Connect an inductive timming light and Tach to the Engine according to manufactures instructions
4 disconnect the single wire inline spout connector or the shorting bar from the double wire spout connector( should be located near hood hinge on fenderwell drivers side small Gray plug with pc of Tape around it ) or near distributor
5 using a pc of yellow chalk laying flat onto the Crankshaft harmonic balancer and marking the entire timing marks area this will make it easier to see the correct timing marks
6 Start engine and bring to normal operating temp.
7 Check Idle speed and adjust if needed this should be non adjustable on your vehicle
8 Check initial timing by aiming the timing light at the marks and pointer.see emissions label under hood for exact timing Specs.
9 if the marks don't line up shut down engine
10 loosen the hold-down bolt on the distributor base but not so much that the distributor turns when assistant restarts the engine
11 restart engine
12 have assistant aim timing light at marks and pointer
13 while holding the distributor Base Shaft with the proper sized wrench at the base or insulated channelocks loosen the hold down bolt and advance or ****** the distributor until the correct timing marks line up.hold in that position while assistant shuts engine off
(NOTE) when retightening the distributor bolt it can have the tendancy to turn the distributor
14 retighten the distributor bolt while holding the shaft firmly to prevent spinning
15have assistant restart engine
16 Verify that the timing marks still line up with pointer if non alignment , readjust using steps 9 thru14 again
17 once it is set correctly and bolt is tight on distributor base shut down engine. Reconnect in-line Spout Connector or reinstall inline spout shorting bar and assure that timing is advancing beyond initial settings by starting the engine and aiming at the timing marks when engine is slightly reved the timing should advance slightly 2-4 degrees maybe more depending on mileage
18 if timing can't be achieved because distriburor was removed you must
1 unhook coil wire
2 remove the #1 Sparkplug verify that the #1 piston is at the top of the compression stroke (must be on top compression stroke) if it isnt have assistant crank engine slightly to get close with coil wire unplugged. DO NOT turn the crankshaft backwards at any time to get piston into position 3 once piston is in position remove the battery cables, remove the distributor cap with wires intact and verify that the rotor cap is at center of the #1 point in the distributor cap if it isn't
4 loosen & remove the distributor bolt
5 lift the distributor only slightly enough to disengage the gear on the shaft from the camshaft gear (NOTE) when letting it back down into the engine it will spin the rotor off of the #1 position so it must be turned far enough to compensate for this turning when it is reinstalled
6 seat the distributor shaft in the hole and reinstall the retainer bolt and tighten then use the steps above to fine tune the timing

This sounds like the oil seal on the distributor needs replacing. I have not got the the timimg details but you can set it up this way until you can get the specs.

1. Set the rotor arm to No 1 cylinder.
2. Now mark this on the distributor.
3. Mark the bottom of the distributor and the housing (inline with each other).
4. Now put the car in gear and do not turn the engine.
5. Check your timing marks on both your cam and crank shafts.
6. Take out the distribuor and replace the the worn seal.
7. Put back the distributor while lining up all the alinement marks that you have made.
8. Now nip up the the distributor but do not full tighten it.
9. Check your alinement marks, take the car out of gear and start the engine.
10. If the engine is not running correctly, you can increase or decrease the engine speed by moving the distributor slightly to the left or right.
11. When you have the engine tick over speed to your liking you can stop the engine and and tighten up the distributor.

Following these instructions you should be only a few degrees out at the most.
When you get the the correct timing information you can use a timing light to rset up the ignition timing.

Ray