Installing and setting up the distributor & carburetor on a Ford Inline Six can be tricky, but we’ll walk you through the process.
Before installing the distributor, make sure that the number-1 piston is at TDC on the compression stroke. With your finger over the number-1 spark plug hole, have an assistant rotate the crankshaft by hand. You will feel the pressure as the piston comes up on the compression stroke. The timing mark on the harmonic balancer should also approach zero. The rocker-arm assembly must be installed so the valves are in the correct configuration for the compression stroke (both closed).
First, make sure the number-1 cylinder is at TDC (top dead center) on the compression stroke. An easy way to do this is to put your finger over the number-1 spark plug hole and turn the crankshaft. When the piston comes up on the compression stroke, you will feel the air pressure against your finger. Before the pressure stops, quit rotating the crankshaft.
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To know when the piston is at the top of its travel (TDC), use a wooden pencil in the spark plug hole. Turn the crankshaft by hand until the pencil stops moving upward. While it’s not exact, it is close enough to put the distributor in.
Now, insert a full-length pencil in the spark plug hole. Make sure that it touches the top of the piston before you let go. Slowly turn the crankshaft again. You should see the pencil being pushed out of the hole. As soon as the upward motion of the pencil stops, stop turning the crankshaft. The piston is at TDC on the compression stroke (or at least very close). When you removed the distributor, you should have noted the position of the vacuum advance with a photo.
Refer to your disassembly notes and photos to get the approximate location of the vacuum advance canister. Insert it into the bore with the distributor aligned to that position. You will notice that the rotor turns slightly. This is because the distributor is driven by a gear on the camshaft and the distributor gear aligns with the camshaft.
Note how much and in what direction the distributor turned during installation. Remove the distributor and reinstall it, this time accounting for how the gear will turn the rotor. The distributor is now in close enough that you should be able to start the engine.
Once it is reinstalled, this will determine where the number-1 post on the distributor is located (based on the marking on the distributor cap). It may take a few tries to insert the distributor and have the rotor point to where you want number-1 to be. The rotor will rotate as the distributor gear meshes with the camshaft gear. Estimate how much it will move and compensate for the movement as you install the distributor. Install the distributor hold-down and tighten the bolt.
The rotor in the distributor needs to align with the number-1 post on the distributor cap. Position the cap on the distributor. Install the hold-down clamp with the bolt and temporarily tighten it so the distributor doesn’t accidentally move before starting the engine.
When it is time to set the ignition timing, loosen the bolt just enough to allow you to turn the distributor. After final timing is set, tighten the bolt again. Keep in mind that you may want to install the distributor after the engine is installed in the vehicle to avoid potential damage while the engine is lowered into the engine compartment.
Carburetor
The carburetor can be reinstalled now or after the engine is back in the vehicle. Depending on the method that you use to install the hoist chain, the carburetor may be in the way and could be damaged when the engine is lifted. Whether you install the carburetor with the engine on a stand or after it is in the car, the steps are the same.
The small-six engines all have an adapter that bolts to the cylinder head and properly orients the carburetor to the engine. Install the adapter with a gasket using two bolts. Tighten the bolts evenly and do not overtighten.
With the gasket installed, place the carburetor on the adapter with the throttle lever on the carburetor facing the rear of the engine. Tighten the nuts evenly and do not overtighten them.
If the engine is equipped with a spacer/adapter between the carburetor and the head, install it first with a gasket and tighten the bolts. Install the carburetor mounting studs if they are not already in place on the adapter. Then, set the carburetor on the spacer with another gasket. Attach the two nuts to the carburetor studs and tighten them evenly. Do not overtighten them because it may result in damage to the carburetor base.
Written by Matt Cox & Barton Maurer and Republished with Permission of CarTech Inc.
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