[Jimmy Neutron]

Please help me find out why it will not start!!!

I will start by listing what I know for sure that it has:
(I just finished replacing #5-8 today.)
1. 85, 87-95 Stock Mustang HO heads
2. Comp Cams 3120 Double roller timing chain
3. 1973 302 Oil pan
4. Edelbrock 1405 600cfm carb
5. MSD-8352 Distributor
6. MSD-5541 Spark plug wires
7. MSD-5526 coil
8. NGK-2771 spark plugs

This is what I have done:
1. I set it to 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 firing order in a counter-clockwise direction.
2. I checked the timing chain. It has not jumped a tooth.
3. I checked and double checked the distributors wiring. It is wired up correctly.
4. I pulled #1 spark plug. I have spark.
5. I can see fuel being pumped thru the clear fuel filter.
6. I tore down the carb and cleaned it. I had a friend install it on his truck, and it worked.
7. I gapped all the spark plugs to .030.
8. I squirted a little ether into the carb. After a little bit of cranking, some of it caught on fire. I opened up the throttle all the way and cranked it over to put it out. So, I think it is backfiring thru the carb.
9. I looked as to where the rotor is pointing -right where it is supposed to.

I started having issues with starting a year ago or so.
Please see this link: http://broncozone.co...o...=14079&st=0

What I need to do:
1. Check the timing with a timing light.
2. A compression test.
What else??

[Bronc76]

How old is fuel pump?

[Jimmy Neutron]

I have no idea how old the fuel pump is. I was told that the running gear was from a '71 EB. Then I found out that the pan is from a '73 and the heads are from anything from a 85, 87-95 Stock Mustang HO. So, it could be original, from something else, or recently replaced. Who knows?!?!

It will not fire with ether/starting fluid, so how could it be the fuel pump?

I will add check fuel pressure to the list.

I am also adding the 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 firing order to try out. I read it somewhere that Ford used this and the 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 firing order on 302/5.0's. With all the other swaps, maybe they switched the cam out too...

This post has been edited by Jimmy Neutron: 11 May 2009 - 07:30 PM

[Jimmy Neutron]

My guess is that they took the cam and heads, possibly the intake from a 5.0 Mustang. Maybe even the entire engine... I will check on the numbers over by the starter...

It fired up this morning!

The only thing that changed was the firing order. I switched it to 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 from 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8.

I will still perform the rest of the list.
1. Check the timing with a timing light.
2. A compression test.
3. Check fuel pressure.

[Jimmy Neutron]

Fuel pressure is less than a needles' width from 5psi and it holds steady after shutdown.

[Jimmy Neutron]

I have been called away to go replace a fuel pump in a '98 Grand Am...

It is still coughing thru the carb, usually upon acceleration. (this is still sitting still -have not put it into gear yet)

[Bully Bob]

Hay Newt...!
Sounds a bit too advanced.
Someone on here was talking 'bout setting timing with a vacc. gauge.

You don't have timing marks do you..?

[Jimmy Neutron]

After taking the balancer off and cleaning it up I was able to find timing marks. I also found and installed a 302 pointer, I just cannot see it with the power steering pump installed. That is why I have not moved it yet -no power steering hooked up.

I will retard the timing... That is turning the dizzy counter-clockwise, right??

[Bully Bob]

I think you want to go "clock-wise" with the Diz. to retard..assuming the rotor spins clock-wise on the V/8.

[Jimmy Neutron]

I could be wrong, I will go check, but I think it spins counter-clockwise...

This post has been edited by Jimmy Neutron: 12 May 2009 - 11:33 AM

[Yardape]

The 83 and up HO 5.0's used the 351w firing order as you have discovered. I think I read you are replacing the harmonic? make sure its for the correct year 302, 83 and up also are balanced different. Counter clockwise is retard, clockwise is advance

*edit*
Okay I reread it. The 85 302 timing pointer is on the passenger side, just wanted to clarify that because you said you cant read it because the ps pump is in the way. The ps pump should be on the drivers side isnt it? Also if you have just installed this engine, the 85 had a serpentine belt, does it still have this? I ask because if you put the vbelts on, the water pump spins backwards on the serpentine setup.

This post has been edited by Yardape: 12 May 2009 - 11:28 PM

[Jimmy Neutron]

The pointer and the power steering pump are on the drivers side of the engine. The engine block and front accessories are from the early '70's as far as I can tell right now. I was told the engine, transmission, transfercase, frame, and axles were from a '71 EB, but I have discovered thru some help that the pan is from a '73. So until I crawl underneath and find numbers on the block, we will not know for certain what year the block is from. The heads and cam are from 85, 87-95 Stock Mustang HO. I am sure of that on the heads, but am assuming on the cam. The reason I know this for the heads is because of the spark plug cross-reference. I assume the cam is too because of the firing order that worked is from the same era Mustang 5.0 HO.

I think it will be quite an ordeal when I go to change the harmonic. Especially since I have no idea what year the block is, or the crank, if it has been bored out, ect, ect, ect... I am not doing this right now, but will need to be done when I swap this running gear into the '88 Bronco II. What would be the best way to get exactly what harmonic I need?

This post has been edited by Jimmy Neutron: 13 May 2009 - 09:00 AM

[Bully Bob]

Mr. Neut..,

"So until I crawl underneath and find numbers on the block, we will not know for certain what year the block is from."
"Especially since I have no idea what year the block is"

Seems I was able to read it over the fender., just slightly above the starter., & to the right a bit. Prob. need a bright light., & maybe a mirror in some cases.

"I think it will be quite an ordeal when I go to change the harmonic. Especially since I have no idea what year the block is, or the crank,..."
WildHorses4x4.com has "one size fits all" harmonics... (remove/add weights) if you're int. Also has timing marks for all three Ford styles.!
-----Part # 8058 ---#8059 (for weights)

BUT THEN..,
Not knowing what RPM's you were gett'n...if it ran/runs smooth (no vibration) & the balancer is not all rotted out it's likely the correct one., & should work for you.

HTH

B

This post has been edited by Bully Bob: 14 May 2009 - 12:35 PM

[Jimmy Neutron]

Thanks for the heads-up!