Ford 8N distributor

makromer · Feb 21, 2023

Need to install a new distributor. The old one had been removed. Any how-to's out there?

jaxs · Feb 21, 2023

You will do much better buying an IT repair manual from Tractor Supply Company than trying to wing it with free web advice.

ROUSTABOUT · Feb 21, 2023

Front distributor or side distributor? There are both kinds out there.

Roadworthy · Feb 21, 2023

Rotate the engine to the point where the timing mark indicates it should fire. Install the distributor so the rotor lines up with number one cylinder. You will need to compensate for the cut of the gears as it will rotate a bit as you put it into place. At this point you're either almost right on the money or 180 degrees out. That's where the manual comes in handy. To finish the job you should learn a bit about static timing an engine.

FordnMassey · Feb 21, 2023

Hi,
Does your distributor use a driving dog or a gear to engage?

EdGooding · Feb 21, 2023

Roadworthy said:
Rotate the engine to the point where the timing mark indicates it should fire. Install the distributor so the rotor lines up with number one cylinder. You will need to compensate for the cut of the gears as it will rotate a bit as you put it into place. At this point you're either almost right on the money or 180 degrees out. That's where the manual comes in handy. To finish the job you should learn a bit about static timing an engine.

Not if he has the front-mount distributor. It has an offset tang so it's almost impossible to install it 180 degrees off. Ford changed to the side-mount (aka angle drive) distributor during the 1950 model run.

EdGooding · Feb 21, 2023

What the two distributors used in 8Ns look like:

John0829 · Feb 21, 2023

And if it is a side mount and the old dizzy has already been removed without marking the rotor location fun times are ahead if not familiar with timing an engine, WHICH he evidently is not since he is asking for help.