install replacement distributor on ford 172 industrial

[rigpig]

does anyone have a few helpful hints on the correct way to install a replacement distributor in a ford 172 industrial motor? the old distributor is already out and i'm not sure how or what needs to be set so that the timing is right? any ideas....
 

[Mike Groom]

I hope you marked the position of the rotor when you took the old dist.out,If you didn't you need to rotate the engine to top dead center on # 1 cyl.(take the plug out of #1 and when you feel compression on your thumb in the hole you should be on the compression stroke,then just rotate slowly and watch for the piston to come up to the top) then locate #1 plug wire on the dist. cap and install the dist. so the rotor lines up with that plug wire on the cap when it's seated in the engine boss,check your manual for the correct timing mark on the crankshaft and rotate the dist. till you match it.Tighten it down and your good to go.
 

[rigpig]

thanks for your help, does it matter if it is compression stroke tdc or not?
 

[awhtx]

Yes it matters. Each piston is at TDC twice- once on the compression stroke and once on the exhaust stroke. The engine will never start if you have the distributor installed where each cylinder fires on its exhaust stroke.
 

[Mike Groom]

You shouldn't have any pressure on your thumb over the hole if it's not on the compression stroke.
 

[rigpig]

Thanks again for all your help.
 

[john_Bud]

Just to be clear, #1 is closest to the radiator. Firing order is 1243. Set the time looking at the little quarter sized access port under the hydraulic pump. Held in place with a thru bolt. The time marks are on the flywheel, not on the front pulleys etc. Set the time by hand rotating the engine, then power up the ignition and rotate the dist with it pointing to the #1 position on the cap. Rotate the dist back and forth slowly until it JUST sparks. Tighten it down, reassemble and go.