Fordnatics List Archive

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Mail From: "Adrian Correa" <(email redacted)>


Ken Neher asked:

>Ok, guys. According to my shop manual, The rotor position on my
>EECIII/Duraspark III Distributor is the only adjustmant to be made as far
>as the*correctness* of the timing. This sound to me like I can advance it
>this way, too. Any Experience with this? Sounds good, or not? Thanks for
>your input.

Eugene Y C Chu replied:

I'm embarassed to say that I forgot about this as I did this for Ford
back in 1979. But the adjustment of the rotor position is a set-once
deal, only need to be done when it is replaced. However, I don't
remember how to do it. I think you had to put the timing pointer to 0
degrees, but I can't remember where you position the rotor. This is

I don't know what ignition system is on my '82 F150, but to set the timing,
you need a special tool if your rotor cap is a two piece set up. Looks
kinda like this.

_____ _____
| \ / |
|_ \__________________________/ _|
] [
| |
| |
----\ /----
\________________________/

Rotate the engine to zero degrees on the timing mark on the crank and
remove the top rotor cap (spring clips) and rotor and loosen the lower cap.
Insert the special tool (hump down) in the slit in the distributor shaft
and rotate the lower cap until the tool drops into the two slits cut around
the perimeter of the lower cap (which also align the upper cap). Tighten
the lower cap, reinstall the rotor and upper cap and there it is.

Eugene is correct. No way to adjust the timing via the distributor (within
reason) that the computer won't ignore (or correct). If there is, I haven't
come across it.

I don't have a part number for this thing, but have successfully used just
a simple straight edge to do this same thing.