Distributor wiggle

[Angellove1]

I have a 94 3.0 ranger. Now I'm the one that normally is giving advice but this time got a good one. I have a squeak coming from the distributor. Now on the basis of normal you would think distributor is bad and replace. Not the case. Still have the noise and while setting the timing I noticed the distributor wiggling. Not sure where to go from here. Please help.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

So you replaced the distributor and still hear a noise from it, or just a noise
Is there a spark/misfire issue or just the noise?

With engine cold unhook fan belt and start engine
Can only run engine with no water pump for 1min or so, but enough time to track down a noise in the now very quiet engine bay
If no noise then it was a pulley noise

The bushings in the Cam synchro units on the 1995 and up 3.0l Rangers did make the squeaking noise, but that was never an issue with the distributors, I think it could happen just never came up much

 

[Curious Hound]

The bushings in the Cam synchro units on the 1995 and up 3.0l Rangers did make the squeaking noise, but that was never an issue with the distributors, I think it could happen just never came up much

Perhaps less of an issue. Bur I did replace mine on my 93 last year for that issue and it was definitely worn.

How many miles on the engine?

 

[Angellove1]

215k miles. Got to the point that I think the distributor shaft guide down in the block is worn from the first distributor going bad. Have to strip down the block machine it and put a bronze bushing in. The noise by the way is definitely coming from the distributor. Been around the block on these Volcan motors and this was just a stumper. I'll let you all know when I get the motor out and stripped. Been wanting to do a rebuild on it anyway looks like now is a good time for it. Thank you all and I will fill you in on the progress.