Distributor - overhaul
Note: Ensure that replacement parts are readily available before carrying out any overhaul or repair work on the distributor.
1.0 and 1.1 litre models - 1986 onwards
1 Remove the distributor from the engine.
2 Remove the rotor arm.
Electronic distributor components
A Trigger wheel
B Stator
C Magnet
D Trigger coil
E Rotor arm
F LT multi-plug
3 Extract the circlip securing the vacuum unit rod to the baseplate pivot post.
4 Undo the two vacuum unit retaining screws, tip the unit to release the rod from the pivot post and withdraw it from the distributor body.
5 Undo the two electronic amplifier module retaining screws and detach the module.
Electronic amplifier module retaining screws
6 This is the limit of dismantling that can be undertaken. Should the distributor be worn or unserviceable in any other respect, renewal of the complete unit will be necessary.
7 Reassembly is the reversal of dismantling. Lubricate the baseplate pivot post with a high-melting-point grease and apply heat sink compound, available from Ford parts dealers, to the back of the amplifier module before refitting.
Bosch distributor (1.4 litre models)
8 Remove the distributor from the engine.
9 Remove the rotor arm and where fitted the plastic shield.
Removing the rotor arm from the distributor
10 Undo the two screws securing the vacuum unit to the side of the distributor body.
Vacuum unit left-hand retaining screw
Tip the unit to release the rod from the baseplate pivot post and withdraw it from the distributor.
11 Undo the two screws securing the electronic amplifier module and remove the module.
Removing the amplifier module
12 This is the limit of dismantling that can be undertaken. Should the distributor be worn or unserviceable in any other respect, renewal of the complete unit will be necessary.
13 Reassembly is the reversal of dismantling. Lubricate the baseplate pivot post with a high-melting-point grease and apply heat sink compound, available from Ford parts dealers, to the back of the amplifier module before fitting.
Lucas distributor (1.4 litre models)
14 Remove the distributor from the engine.
15 Remove the rotor arm.
16 Undo the two electronic amplifier retaining screws and remove the amplifier.
17 Undo the three screws and separate the two halves of the distributor body.
Separating the distributor body halves
18 Withdraw the plastic spacer ring from the body upper half.
19 Withdraw the rubber seal, then pull the connection off the trigger coil terminals.
Rubber seal and trigger coil connector (A)
Note the fitted direction of the connector to aid refitting.
20 Tip the trigger coil up and remove it from the body upper half.
21 Extract the stator retaining circlip and the upper shim.
The distributor stator components
A Circlip B Upper shim C Stator D Lower shim
22 Lift out the stator and the lower shim.
23 Slacken the vacuum unit retaining screw and remove the vacuum unit.
The distributor vacuum unit
24 This is the limit of dismantling that can be undertaken. Should the distributor be worn or unserviceable in any other respect, renewal of the complete unit will be necessary.
25 Reassembly is the reversal of dismantling. Lubricate the vacuum unit peg with a highmelting- point grease and apply heat sink compound, available from Ford dealers, to the back of the amplifier module before refitting.