48 8n front mount dist

first post - put a new dist & all new parts in dist. last week got fire on 3&4 only. took it all apart checked good./ this week it fired only on 1&2. why? any help?

Hello Sam welcome to YT! Did it run before the distributor was changed? The new distributor has points and is not an electronic conversion? When you say it fires on 1 & 2 and then 3 & 4 does that mean it is running and firing and running on only the two cylinders or it does not run and a spark test only shows fire at the 2 plug wires. Are you sure you have the firing order correct? The attached post by Tim P lays it out for you.
Post by Tim

Welcome aboard. Red in MN asked the important questions and graciously put a link to one of my previous posts about the front mount distributor. Red asked if your tractor was running before you put a new distributor in with all new parts or did you rebuild the OEM unit? Tell us everything you did including if you are using 6V or 12V? Just swapping out batteries does not constitute running with a 12V system. Next, rebuilding components is always the first choice with these old Ford's. It is the way FORD designed them. You use the original dist but install a new tune-up kit with points, condenser, rotor, and gasket kit. Now, the most misunderstood feature on these old FORD's is the 6V/POS GRN electrical system. The 2nd most misunderstood feature is the Front Mount Distributor. It must be mounted only one correct way but if forced on 180 DEG off, it will bust the aluminum base at first power. The engine camshaft has an offset female slot on it and the DIST Cam & Weights have offset ,male tang on it and they must mate up at assembly otherwise you're in trouble and non-starting is the result. If all is correct with the distributor, the firing order needs to be verified. ALL FORD 4-CYL engines used the 1,2,4,3 sequence with #1 plug at front nearest radiator end in a CCW direction up to the NAA/JUBILEE and after, then it became a CW direction but firing order remained the same. On the front mount, getting # 3 and #4 plug wires to cap can get crossed up. Be sure they are right. Suggest you get the required manuals to read all about the 6V/POS GRN system then we'll discuss 12V if that is what you have, and if you need help, I can rebuild your front mount for you - my email is open.

FORD FRONT MOUNT FIRING ORDER:

DISTRUBUTOR MOUNT SURFACE & CAMSHAFT HEAD, NOTE OFFSET:

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DISTRIBUTOR IS MOUNTED 180 DEG OFF, INCORRECTLY:

FORD 8N ORIGINAL WIRING DIAGRAMS:

FORD 8N ESSENTIAL MANUALS:


Tim Daley(MI)

Could be a bad condenser, new ones will be bad right out of the box