Some 2.8L distributors came with a round rotor (Pictured below)
There have been reported problems where the screws in these round rotors will come loose and cause the rotor to destroy itself in the distributor. It will cause the engine to die and possibly result in a backfire in the exhaust.
It’s important to periodically check this when you perform your tune ups. It has been suggested that you might want to put a little Loctite on the screws to keep them from coming loose.
Jim Oaks is the founder of TheRangerStation.com, the longest-running Ford Ranger resource online since 1999. With over 25 years of hands-on experience building and modifying Ford Rangers — including magazine-featured builds like Project Transformer — Jim has become one of the most trusted authorities in the Ford Ranger off-road and enthusiast space. In 2019, he was loaned a Ranger FX4 by Ford Motor Company to test and document across the TransAmerica Trail. Jim continues to inspire and guide Ranger owners around the world.