Some Ford 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.
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About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station, one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and cross-country routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road tests contributed by owners worldwide. His work has been referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information rather than theoretical advice.
Jim’s hands-on experience includes long-distance overland travel, trail use, drivetrain and axle upgrades, suspension tuning, and platform comparisons across multiple Ranger generations. The content published on The Ranger Station is grounded in first-hand experience and community-verified data, not marketing claims or generic specifications.