Timing a distributor on a '82 Ford?

K

katie h

New member
Replaced a '84 302 with a '82 302. The '82 sat for awhile in a junk yard, now is out of time. How do I get it back in time? Does the rotor bug face the #1 plug on the passengers side? Whatever you know would be much appreciated! Thanks...
 
You would have to remove the valve cover on the driver side on the engine and turn the engine till both valves are closed and the number 1 piston is at the top, then place the distributer in the engine with the rotor button facing the number 1 wire on the dist cap. This is the sure fire way to get the timeing set, then after this start the engine and use a timing light to fine tune the timing to the correct degrees.
 
Better get the manual and see. This could be more involved. Is this the distributor that was in the engine when you got it or did you take it out for some reason? The distributor isn't goingto go out of time unless it's moved out of time- that or the timing chain and gears are not set right. Since it's an 82, the engine might need a new timing gear and chain set. They do wear out and I wouldn't trust it past 80,000 miles.

In my American Chiltons manual up to 1978 shows the 302 ford has No.1 cylinder in front on the passenger side of the engine. You count to 4 on that side and 5-8 on the driver's side. The cap on the distrubutor counts number one back near cylinder number 6,where number 8 is closest to between cyls 5 and 6 and number 1 is next back from that. firing order: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8.. I don't have a manual for 82, so double check and see if things changed.
 
The best way to tell #1 cylinder is to see which head is forward more. Not always is this true but 99 out of 100 it is true. Fords usually numbers their cylinders 1,2,3,4 on the passenger side and 5,6,7,8 on the driver's side. Most ford caps have #1 on them.
 
! .Cyl: on A Ford is R Side Fwd,With No Elec.and No gas with the correct size Socket and Breaker Bar turn Harmonic Balancer so that Grove is aligned with T.D.C. Look at the Dist.The Rotor should be at #1 if it isn't turn The Crank shaft(Harmonic Balancer 360 Degrees that is the Top Dead Center of Power Stroke;

Yes You are correct # 1 Cyl is Fwd Pass. Side:on a Ford :
 
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