I got a new cap and rotor and in the process made the mistake, I think, of pulling the distributor all the way out. After I replaced everything it won't start. I tried to find my answer but was unlucky. It's a 3.0, it turns over but won't fire. Do I need to turn the engine so that the #1 cylinder is at tdc?

 

First, you start with the manual. http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1990-1995...e/distribu.pdf Even though this is not for an '87, I'm pretty sure the concept is the same. If you remove the distributor, you have to put it back in correctly or the timing will be way off. And it won't start.

If you're really, really lucky you'll get this right on the first try. But since you already removed the distributor in order to change the cap, by definition you are not lucky. So you're going to need a timing light to see whether it went back in correctly, and then to adjust the timing.

Good luck!