I bought an 86 bird with a 2.8 that ran well for a few months...
Then:
Changed starter, replaced posi cable.(found out later it was run the wrong way by previous owner) oil change at Wal-Mart, posi cable fell burned onto header meled down battery happened within 500yds of W-M. New Battery secured new posi. Shortly after car would shut down randomly. I would drive for awhile sop at a store, come back out and car would start then immediatly stall. After about 10 min or so it would star up and be fine for anywhere between a day to a week. After reading many threads, I replaced my coil (was wire-tied to the firewall). The original was still on the bracket so I removed it and drilled the rivits and put in new coil. I broke and replaced the egr vacuum solenoid. I also changed my plugs guy at Advance sugested titanium tt's. Thats when I noticed my distributor would turn slightly. Two days later driving home car stalled and woulded start. Under the hood I noticed the distributor had moved slightly. I can turn it by hand about 45* eaither way (probably restricted only by wires in the way). If I turn the distributer alittle then back my car will start again and run for awhile. if I punch it though it will stall and I have to turn the disty again to restart it. I retarded the timing abit and it seamed to last longer before I had to repeat the process.
I cannot find the hold down clamp or bolt or even where they should be. I think the PO left them off, he seemed to take a lot of shortcuts I've been fixing as I can. I can't find any pic's or good descriptions.

 

the cars out of time. get a hold down for it and put it in time. service engine soon light on? engine light on?

 

I/m calling the dealership in the morning to try and get a hold down. engine light is not on and there are no stored codes.

 

Finally got a hold down. Adjusted timing and she's running great. Thanks.

 

Good to hear. help it stays running great.