Distributor orientation

[JKLedbetter]

I was changing the distributor cap and rotor and noticed that the orientation is 90 degrees off from what is shown in my Haynes manual. If the rear of the car is north and the front south, the current orientation is #1 - northeast, #2 - northwest, #3 - southeast, #4 - southwest. Haynes shows it rotated 90 degrees clockwise with #1 - southeast, #2 - northeast, #3 - southwest, #4 - northwest.

Hopefully Haynes is incorrect, but I would like to verify it before proceeding.

On a side note, where can I get a better manual? Has anyone PDF'd the Ford manual?

-Kennon

[MikeFleming]

Doesn't really mater ow it's oriented. Place the distributor into the block about halfway between the extension of the TFI and harness hitting the lower intake manifold to the back of the alternator. As long as there is enough movement available to set to base timing, you're good to go.

Most distributor caps have a marking for wire #1. When installing the distributor, point the rotor in the direction of the #1 marking on the cap (distributor fully installed). Now install the #1 plug wire there and route it to the front most spark plug. Then - moving clockwise on the cap - install the wire to #3, then #4, then #2. Route other ends of plug wires to the appropriate spark plug.

Don't forget to install a wire from the coil to the center of the distributor cap.

That's all there is to it.

[JKLedbetter]

...Don't forget to install a wire from the coil to the center of the distributor cap...

C'mon man, now you're just busting my chops. I may be rusty, but I'm not that rusty. And besides, the only distributors I've worked on in the last few years are mounted in a fixed position and cannot be turned.

[MikeFleming]

C'mon man, now you're just busting my chops. I may be rusty, but I'm not that rusty.
Naw, not bnusting your chops. Just adding information for everyone else that reads this thread.

And we've all seen assorted wires being left off during a late-night assembly while getting a car ready for an auto-x. A recent Saturday evening all-nighter at a Kentucky Reunion comes to mind...

Except for my SVO, ALL of my current cars have COP. No distrubutors.