I just got the 302 back in the model a. I am able to get it fired for a couple seconds, but that is it. I have tried moving the distributor every which way, and it is getting fuel and I cant get it to stay running. The only thing that isnt on yet is the alternator, everything else is on. With the heat in the 90s today and getting frustrated, I figured I would get some others input on it. What do you guys suggest. Thanks Nate
What kind of ignion you got? Points or ?? . First thing do you have power to the coil with the key in run posision. Use a volt meter and see what ya got.
Is the engine easy to crank over or does it sound tight? I had a pal have this happen on a rebuilt 302 and it turned out the new cam was for a 351 and he was running the 302 firing order. Flatman
It turns over like a champ. The cam is for a 302, it is a older crane cam it is a good size cam. I am running the 1,5,4 firing order. Thanks Nate
run a wire from battery + to distributor +. Crank it over. It should start and run. It sounds like you have power to the coil in the start position of the switch, but when it goes to run (when you let go of the key) , it has no power. Make sure you have a ground wire from the engine to the frame, AND the engine to the body. If the jumper wire does not work, you have more work to do..
For your peace of mind, the alternator has nothing to do with whether the car runs or not. Yes, you will need it to keep the battery up after you get the car running but it isn't your problem. If you have a vacuum leak it may stall out after running for a few seconds. If the idle mixture isn't pretty close it will stall when you let off the throttle. Make sure that you do have power to the coil when the key is just in the on position as the guys suggested above. I'd also go along with testing the coil and resistor. Also, make sure that the condenser is tight and that the points are adjusted correctly.
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