Joel1975

The distributor for my 95 F150 302 RWD AT is shot so I bought a Cardone 2890 to replace it. Problem is it's a little over 1/8 inch too long. Took to Advance to see if the one they sell (Carquest) was the same length as the Cardone and it is. They are both too long. The original one drops right in every time, so I know it's not an alignment issue with the oil pump shaft or whatever that thing in the middle is called.

I went to Ford's website and they no longer sell the oem part F2TE-12127-AA (E9TE-12131-BA). Every place I look up the distributor online it says I need a 84-2890. But that is too long. The amount of difference in overall length is how much it's sticking out at top (take away that extra length and it looks like it will seat fine).

I've dropped in the original about 5 times and every time it slides right in, even if I put it in at different rotatons. That's why I'm convinced the aftermarket ones are just too long.

Rock Auto has an OEM refurbished (Autoline D4101) that I'm thinking of buying. Thoughts before I do? I've searched the web for a long time and it seems as if I'm the only one with this problem .

Thanks for any help you can offer. My truck has been down for a few weeks as I've tried to figure out why no spark. Replaced and checked the ignition module, checked the ignition coil (Accel less than 2 years old), and wires. I'm getting a steady light on with the test light at the IC even when I turn the engine over and IM is new (and tested).

nrivera04

Do you know if the motor has ever been replaced in the truck? Then 87-91s used a 2880 Distributor. I've ran into this once years ago when I was selling auto parts full time but can't remember how we fixed it.

You might also try calling Cardone and speaking with someone in tech service.

88xlt

Does everything seem to fit, but the distributor just sits up too high at the top? If so and you could get a spacer to put under the top. It would have to be the nearly exact correct height to hold the distributor tight and still not put down pressure on the bottom of the distributor drive. Maybe get some thin machine washers and use the correct amount.

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

Maybe check that the drive gear is the same as the old one. Roller cams got a machined gear, flat tappet cams got a cast gear. That's a possibility.

Joel1975

From the gear to the bottom of the shaft is where the difference is. It's a little more than 1/8 inch. The Ford distributor is two pieces and Cardone is one. I don't know if the motor was ever replaced. The Ford distributor that I'm replacing fits perfect, so I don't know why everywhere I look it says I need the 2890. I mean uou'd think having the MotorCraft # would give me a perfect replacement part. The Cardone is a "select" and says it's new. It doesnt even look like the MotorCraft distributor.

I ordered the Autoline from RockAuto - it's supposed to be a stock dizzy rebuilt. I had to pay $65 core charge, so I'm really hoping it is an exact match. If it isn't I'll have to see how difficult it is to rebuild the original.

Thanks for the replies! Unbelievable that it's this big of a pain to drop a stinking distributor in. I understand having to finesse it, but jeesh. This replacement bottoms out and not amount of finese will make it fit. Thought about grinding it down to fit.

qdeezie

So, if I'm understanding you correctly, what you'll need to do with that Cardone distributor is remove the rotor and take a hammer and lightly tap on the distributor where the rotor goes until it seats.

What's happening with the longer distributor is that washer on the oil pump shaft is higher, but when tapping on it, it will push it down and make the distributor seat.

Joel1975

I'll try that tomorrow. I did tap on it a little with a rubber mallet, but barely. I didn't want to tear anything up on the oil pump. I'll give it more force and see if it drops. Thanks.

Joel1975

I just waited on the rebuilt one from RockAuto instead of trying to knock the Cardone one down a little. That may have worked, but I was only going to do it as a last resort. The one from RA was a MotorCraft that was exactly the same in appearance and the MC part number stamped on it was identical. Slid right in with minimal caressing.

I had marked the intake with the exact location of where the rotor was pointing before I removed the original distributor and I hand turned #1 cylinder to TDC so the truck fired right up. Had to twist the distributor a tiny bit after a test drive and now it runs great. Thanks for looking and the replies. Now I hope I can return the Cardone to Amazon and the ignition module to Advance.