Timing is Everything!

We pre '95 owners get a good deal on this one!

• 3/8" Drive Ratchet
• 3/8" Drive 6" Extension
• 10mm Socket
• Timing Light
• Tachometer (not mandatory)
• Chalk

Related Mods:

• Accel Distributor Cap and Rotor P/N: 8230
• Ford High Octane Rod for distributor (for Integral TFI Module Only!!)

Instructions: After a trip to the store (engine must be warm!), shut off the heater, A/C and all Electrical/Electronic/Physical draws on the engine.  Set the parking brake and put the trans in Nuetral (or Park, ick).  Turn engine off.  Pop the hood.

**Caution:**
...the engine is hot!
Loosen the 10mm bolt that holds down the distributor (behind and slghtly left of the distributor's center).  Locate and unplug the single wire in-line "SPOUT" connector between the battery and the driverside headlight.

Picture of SPOUT location

It is a small grey plug-in module that has a release clip on either side.  You can remove it by hand if you release one side at a time while tilting the module to that side and pulling.  Use chalk to highlight the timing mark so it is easier to see. Connect your Tachometer (not mandatory) to the coil (Dark Green/Yellow dotted wire) and timing light to the #1 Spark Plug Wire (#1 is on the passenger sie nearest the radiator).  Start the engine and allow it to rewarm (if needed).  Check to see the timing is at 10 degrees Before Top Dead Center (BTDC).   Slowly rotate the distributor until 16 to 18 degrees is indicated.  Lock down the distributer and Shut off the engine.  Reconnect the "SPOUT" plug and restart the engine.  The timing should be 16 or 18 degrees BTDC and increase to over 20 when you blip the throttle.  If so, your done!  If not, do it again!

Notes: You may need to use higher octane fuel if the engine pings.  You can also slightly retard the timing until the pinging stops.

If the idle is high, you may need to reset your computer by pulling the battery cable for 20 minutes, or the computer will do it over the next few hours of driving.

Special Bonus mod!!
Ford uses OCTANE RODS to adjust the timing curve for specific fuel grades on the early (Integral TFI) distributors.   If your distributor connector is plugged into a plastic box, you get the BONUS!  Find out if you can get one from your local dealer.  This is a "Smog-Law" Violating part and is for "Off-Road Use Only".

Integrated TFI Modules are NOTORIOUS for premature, heat related faiure.  There are numerous TSB's and a current recall for "stalling".



Here are the 3.0L equipped vehicles effected by the recalls:

1986-95 Taurus/Sable (3.0L)
1986-90 Aerostar (3.0L)
1990-92 Probe (3.0L)
1995 Sable (3.0L)
1995 Taurus (3.0L)
(The Ranger is uneffected because it never had the TFI module mounted on the distributor.)


Here are some Fixes!

1. '87 3.0L V-6's can use one of 4 Mallory distributors: Dual Point Mechanical P/N 2370601, Dual Point Vacuum P/N 2770601, UNILITE Mechanical P/N 4560601 and finally the UNILITE Vacuum Advance P/N 4770601
2. The TFI module can be upgraded to and MALLORY TFI Ignition Module (P/N: 613), just make sure you use plenty of "Heat Sink Compound" between the Module and the Distributor or it will FAIL from the heat.
3. Routinely (every 30,000 miles) remove the TFI module, clean it and reinstall with the sae "Heat Sink Compound" mentioned above.


Upgrades:

Accel:
Coil/Ignition Combo: 300+ Race ignition w/ rev limiter and multi-spark. Noisey, but good!
Coil: EEC-IV Super Coil
Cap and Rotor: 8230
Mallory Ignition:
Coil: 29213 (up to 5,500 RPM), 29209 (up to 6,200 RPM), 29214 RACE (4,000 to 7,000 RPM)
TFI Ignition Module: 613
Distributors: Dual Point Mechanical 2370601; Dual Point Vacuum 2770601; UNILITE Mechanical 4560601 and UNILITE Vacuum Advance 4770601

MSD (Autotronic Controls Corporation):
Coil: EEC-IV TFI Blaster*: 8227
TFI to MSD-6 Harness*: 8874
MSD-6A*: 6200
MSD-6T: (Off-Road): 6400
MSD-6AL: (w/ rev limiter): 6420
MSD-BTM*: (Boost Timing Master) for Turbo/Supercharger: 6462
MSD Adjustable Timing Control: 8680 (Check numbers, different box for use with MSD ignition)
(*-Denotes what I am using and VERY happy with)


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