Played around with the Falcon some more today, and still cannot seem to get it in time. I bought a new distributor because the old one was pretty shaky looking and I don't think the magnetic trigger worked right. I set the distributor to tdc, tried to start it, and got nothing. Spun it around 180, and i'm getting some gas shooting out the carb, retarted it some, and got some more gas shooting out. I've got all new plugs, and have checked and I have spark (at least when the plug isn't in the engine), firing order is good. Any suggestions? The engine is a 70' 302 w/ duraspark and a msd box.
#1 cyl TDC of the compression stroke. take your valve cover off if your not sure. are you throwing a spark? tim
Well, I tried it both on tdc (not sure if compression stroke) then switched it 180 degrees and tried again, which would be compression stroke if it wasn't. First time I got nothing, next time I got it to backfire through the carb, so I'm thinkign mabye thats the right side, just too far advanced. Not sure what you mean by throwing a spark, there is spark.
that's what I meant. try to guess where 12dg is and go from there. get a dial type light mark your balancer at zero. if you have got spark in the right place, fuel, and air it has no choice but to start. Spark in the right place is key.
take a short length of gas line hose and plug it with a bolt-stick it in number one plug hole and bump it over till it just pops it out,then manually adjust the timing pointer on your balancer to TDC...........end of mystery.
Now that sounds like a real hi tech and accurate way to find TDC. Maybe I'll just toss away my converted spark plug TDC finder.
I'm not trying to insult you, so this is just another suggestion... Are you sure you are using the correct #1. I know that I was shocked when I got my Ford to find out that the #1 cylinder isn't the same location as on a Chevrolet. Just trying to rule everything out.
I looked at it today, I turned the engine to my TDC mark on the balancer, checked the distributor and it was pointing at #1, and then took the #1 plug out (nearest p***enger side cylinder) and checked, and sure enough the piston was at tdc. I'd also like to point out that the engine was running and just stalled out while idling and never started again. I'm thinking now that mabye this isn't a matter of timing, but it is some sort of iginition problem. I'm using a vacuum advance distibutor for a 78 ford 302 w/ duraspark, single advance. The distributor is brand new. I also used the magnetic pick-up adapter and used a MSD 6A box.
it may not be timing......are you even getting any spark at all ? if you still have the instructions for the MSD 6a , it tells you how to test the ignition system..i believe you ground the white wire ( you better find out) while holding the coil wire at a ground...a good system will jump 1-2"
This could still be tdc exhuast, not compression. With two people, the thumb over the plug trick is the best method. I like the one-man rubber hose blast idea too (Neither of which hold a candle to the over-the-shoulder boulder holder). Have your little sister hold the business end of the coil wire while you crank. Depending on the weight of your sister, you can guage your spark quality. I have a chart somewhere for how high she should jump, I'll try to find it.
well what confuses me is it shoots gas out the carb. That means it must be sparking during the intake stroke, but the piston was at tdc. Mabye my spark is jumping?
Or... (just thought of this) I'm 180 degrees out of time and its sparking right at the begining of the intake stroke. I think i'm taking the valve cover off and taking a peak at the rockers.
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