How do you replace the distributor on a 1988 Ford Ranger XLT 2.9 liter V6?

Answer 1

On the 2.9 there is a bolt with a v shaped key at eh

base of the distributor shaft, this holds the thing in,

mark the #1 spark plug post on the distributor cap with a

permanent marker, a white grease pensil will mark the base of the

distributor post and engine block with a line to align it.

After removing Cap rotate the engine until the button points

towards position to spark #1 cylinder.

Look for timing marks on the crank pulley

note the position. Additionally you can pull the

#1 plug and feel for the top of the cylinder at

Top dead center TDC of the compression stroke.

You might rotate the crank a bit to feel the piston go up and down past TDC

(if things have gotton out of alignment this could be TDC of the exaust stroke

and the distributor is 180degrees will be out of time

if it is you will have to rotate the crank until the #1piston comes back TDC)

You can remove the distributor after marking and noting the

alignments. The TFI ignition module can be left on or not when

removing the distributor but be carefull as the heat treated plastic

breaks easily when old and that's $40 gone if you break that.