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Can I change the distributor without dropping the engine??


Adrxn

New Member
Joined
May 25, 2025
Messages
1
City
Indiana
Vehicle Year
1990
Transmission
Manual
I own a 1990 Ranger XLT with a 2.9l V6 and the distributor is in a bad spot and is under the intake manifold and close to the firewall, and I don’t know if it’s possible to replace the distributor without dropping the engine.
 
It will come out with engine in place.

It sure is tucked in there though.
 
IIRC you have to pull the cap and rotor off. Takes some wiggling. Helps if the upper intake is off. A 1-2” body lift makes it a lot easier.
 
I have to do mine soon, and while I don't ever look forward to it because I remove the intake manifold, it pales in comparison to the coil job that is my Landrover Discovery II. That job is a bear.
 
Its 100% possible.

Just pull the cap and rotor. It seems harder then it really is. Its not as easy as a V8...but not as daunting as it appears
 
the intake is a dry unit and depending on the corrosion situation it is much easier to pull the intake and give yourself room.


believe it or not it is easier to work on a windsor or ls swapped ranger than a stock distributor capped one.
 
Pull your Upper Intake off. I pull the Intake off just to change the cap and wires. I have done it without pulling the Intake off but so much eaiser. Just 6 bolts that hold it on a couple of electrical connectors and a few vacuum lines. It aslo a good time to give the Intake a cleaning and your sensors that you really cant get access to with it on.
 
Last edited:

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