When changing the distributor in the 1992 Ford F-150, it is important to put the new distributor in exactly as it came out. Otherwise, the vehicle, if it starts at all, will run poorly. The ignition timing is dictated by the placement of the distributor. It is also important that the wires are marked appropriately. Even if you get the distributor right, if the wires are not in the proper firing order, the F-150 might not start or might run poorly.
Disconnect the harness wiring connector from the distributor. The plugs are numbered 1-2-3-4 on the passenger side and 5-6-7-8 on the driver's side, starting at the front of the engine. Follow the wire for the No. 1 cylinder up to the distributor. Make a mark on the distributor, distributor base and the engine at the No. 1 terminal on the distributor.
Unclip the cap and remove it. Remove the adapter, if your distributor has one, and the rotor by pulling them off. Remove the TFI connector. Remove the hold-down bolt, using the distributor wrench, then lift the distributor out of the engine.
Lay the old and new distributors next to each other. Mark the new distributor in the exact place that you marked the old distributor. Slide the gasket onto the distributor shaft.
Insert the distributor shaft into its orifice, and slide the distributor down, making sure you can feel the gears mesh. Slide the rotor onto the distributor, making sure the metal point of the rotor lines up with the No. 1 cylinder and the marks you made on the base and engine. If the rotor will not line up, pull the distributor out and turn it about 15 degrees, then try again.
Install the distributor hold-down bolt and tighten it firmly. Reinstall the TFI connector and the wiring harness plug. Coat the brass parts of the rotor with a .8 mm thick coating of dielectric compound. Reinstall the adapter. Reinstall the adapter if you removed one. Reinstall the cap, making sure the marks you made earlier line up.
