My son has an 87 crown vic that won't run. fuel pump has been replaced. plugs are good. we are trying the ignition module next. it is version iv (not duraspark 1,2, or 3) It is located on the distributor. Does the distributor have to be removed. I know it does on the first three styles but something in the haynes manual led me to believe that this one doesn't. does anyone have any feedback?

 

Mark the distributor location and then loosen the lock down bolt. Twist the distributor to gain access to the little bolts. They are a 5.5 mm or a 7/32 will work.

 

thanks for your input. I did loosen that bolt but it doesn't seem to budge. so if I just am able to twist it a little i can get that off? It seems that it requires a special tool. a socket with a very thin wall.

 

You might need to spray penetrating oil and work it back and forth to loosen it. Be careful with what you use to turn the distributor. They crack and break fairly easily.

 

I went out and got the special tool for removing that module. I still can't get at the rear bolt though. On this type of distributor, the haynes module says that it requires no calibration. So I take that to mean that I don't have to get it at top dead center like other distributors. But I am not sure. I just can't get it to budge and I don't want to break it. Has anyway had experience with this? It is the eec iv ignition.