Roads.zx

How would one correct a firing sequence that's 180 degrees off. The idea is to restore spark plug wires to their original/correct routing?

During a tune up on a stock 1965 289 v8 2b, I discovered the spark plug wires are installed 180 degrees off the factory firing sequence. Car has been running a long time with this set up. Other than a Petronix kit that replaced the points everything is stock.

Thanks

jojobanks

is your distributor set up 180 out? Or just the plug wires? It might be a good idea to go ahead and set the motor to TDC and check that your distributor is pointing to where it should be.

Anyway just align according to your firing order. 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

JMD

Or, just leave it alone, your engine wont care.

Other than looks, and/or things just "being right" it doesn't really matter on your Mustang.

It DOES matter on most multi port fuel injection motors though.

You can just pull the distributor and replace it with the rotor exactly 180 degrees from where it is now and re-route the plug wires if you want.

Roads.zx

Thanks for the replies. I know the engine will run fine as it is; the distributor cap is notched to fit over a screw head on the distributor so the cap should be in the correct position.

I guess I was trying to confirm that it's not as simple as rerouting the wires; but, that I would have to pull the distributor and reset to the correct TDC if I want it to look the way the factory intended.

Other than cosmetics, I'm a little concerned that it might confuse the next person who lifts the hood.

Thanks

Roads.zx

JMD, Are you saying that if I pull the distributor, I can then just rotate the rotor 180 degrees and reinstall, without checking TDC ?

Thanks

JMD

Yep, assuming the timing is out 180 degrees, that will work fine unless you turn the engine while the distributor is out. You will of course need to put a timing light on the car to get it timed just right.

(Of course you will need to move the wires on the cap also.)


I forgot to mention that the distributor may not drop the last 1/4" because of the oil pump drive shaft. If this happens, you can just turn the engine over a little while GENTLY holding the distributor down. So long as the gears are engaged, (i.e. the distributor is about 1/4" from dropping to where it should be) you won't loose your timing.

You can bump the engine yourself by jumping the big BATTERY SIDE cable on the solenoid to the smaller start post with a short length of wire. Make sure your car is in park or neutral...

Roads.zx

Thanks JMD! That's just what I was looking for.