Ford 2.8 v6 distributor problem

[MantaA16V]

Got a very odd thing going on with a distributor fitted to a Ford V6 2.8 cologne engine. It's only firing completely on 3 cylinders and only a very small "fire" on the other 3. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Numbers 1-2 and 4 are not firing properly. The problem seems to bo on one side of the cap. I have tried 2 caps, new points, swopping the leads around, reseating the the dissy but nothing works. If you rotate the dissy slowly, sometimes i can get no1 to fire (very odd). Any ideas would be most welcome as it's got me totally stumped.

[bortaf]

ign modual ? cant really see that causing the problem but ??

[mk2cossie]

is there a spark at the plugs of the cylinders you say arent firing, or just not running on all cylinders?

the ole colgne are prone to rocker tip wear and valve seat recession, only reason i ask about the spark ;D

[MantaA16V]

Mar 30, 2012 12:14:43 GMT mk2cossie said:

is there a spark at the plugs of the cylinders you say arent firing, or just not running on all cylinders?

the ole colgne are prone to rocker tip wear and valve seat recession, only reason I ask about the spark ;D

There is a very small spark. I have all plugs fitted with HT testers at the moment so i can see whats spark i'm getting. After much messing about i found if you push the side of the distributor body forward (not down) toward the carb 1 and 2 start sparking. This only works if the clamp is slackened off a touch, once it tight, it doesn't move.

The distributor has conventional points, no electronics at all. Not sure if Ford fitted these as stock. Could i have the wrong distributor or could somethig be worn?

[bortaf]

early colognes were points but i recon the dizzy bearing may have gone and the rotor is not getting close enough to the contacts for the cylinders that are not firing.

[MantaA16V]

Mar 30, 2012 18:56:46 GMT bortaf said:

early colognes were points but I recon the dizzy bearing may have gone and the rotor is not getting close enough to the contacts for the cylinders that are not firing.

I was thinking something was worn myself, decided to fit a new electronic distributor now. Thanks for all you help chaps, much appreciated.

[workinprogress]

itt'll be the top bushing worn out on the dizzy body or a bent dizzy spindle allowing the shaft to wander and giving an excessive air gap so no spark is produced.

had this myself,,,only real cure is to swap the dizzy out witha known working unit

[MantaA16V]

Old distributor was shot. Fitted a new electronic unit and a ignition module. Wow, what a difference. Firing on all 6 now and sounding very strong. Once again, thanks for all your help.

[ChasR]

I've had this issue before on a Porsche 944 with their 'distributor' design (very much like the empty distributor for the Jaguar XJ40 4.0. It actually used to catch the side of the cap!: