351 Idles Fast and Distributor wont turn: can't time it!

[BubbleGum&BailingWire]

All right, I need some general engine advice. I have a 351W that I'm nearly positive isn't the original engine. It's a total Mickey Mouse outfit and most of the emissions controls and vacuum lines are plugged etc. I'm trying to get this thing to idle properly (as in not stall out without me constantly feathering the gas). I've played with the choke and idle speed trying for a happy medium, and when it warms up, I'll be damned if it doesn't just idle REALLY fast. I can't get it slowed down without it stalling out and the carb starts barking a little bit (not carb firing, but close to it).

So, I wanted to basically reset the carb and make sure the timing was correct, sort of like pressing the reset button. I loosened the distributor hold down bolt so that it is literally ready to come out, but I CAN NOT turn the distributor even a little bit! It's stuck solid! Anyone ever heard of this?

I know there are a lot of factors to figure out the idle and get it to run smooth, but if I can't even adjust the timing and dial in the carb, I don't know what I can do.

Any suggestions?

p.s. Does anyone know the correct timing for a late 70's 351W when I do manage to get the distributor to move for me?

Thanks for shedding any light on this thing.

 

[BubbleGum&BailingWire]

All right, manual says refer to the manual or sticker under the hood for correct timing (obviously the guys who wrote the manual never imagined a Bronco would reach such a state of disrepair and neglect) but the consensus online for the 351W seems to be 10*btdc. That number popped up from the early 70's to the mid 80's from the threads I found. Does that sound correct or a good place to start?

Of course, that's useless information if I can't even get the distributor to turn! :huh:

 

[Yardape]

10 degrees sounds about right, usually about 10 to 12 from what ive heard. I have never had a stuck distributor like this but if it where me I would get a good penetrating spray like pb blaster or something, and soak the heck out of it. let it sit overnight and hopefully the next day you can work at it and get it to turn.

 

[95 buckin bronco]

alright 10 degrees btdc is all ive heard these things run on my 95 bronco 351w is set to that as for the idle high u have to find a spot for all those vacuum lines i know that the older models dont really depend on them as much as the newer ones like mine but it might still be the problem with that as for the distributor i dont know what really to tell u i have never heard of that u might want to see if u can take the distributor out and see whats goin on with it but if u do do that mark it before u take it out so that u put it back in the same way or at least pay close attention to it hope this helps buddy.

 

[Seabronc]

All right, I need some general engine advice. I have a 351W that I'm nearly positive isn't the original engine. It's a total Mickey Mouse outfit and most of the emissions controls and vacuum lines are plugged etc. I'm trying to get this thing to idle properly (as in not stall out without me constantly feathering the gas). I've played with the choke and idle speed trying for a happy medium, and when it warms up, I'll be damned if it doesn't just idle REALLY fast. I can't get it slowed down without it stalling out and the carb starts barking a little bit (not carb firing, but close to it). So, I wanted to basically reset the carb and make sure the timing was correct, sort of like pressing the reset button. I loosened the distributor hold down bolt so that it is literally ready to come out, but I CAN NOT turn the distributor even a little bit! It's stuck solid! Anyone ever heard of this?

I know there are a lot of factors to figure out the idle and get it to run smooth, but if I can't even adjust the timing and dial in the carb, I don't know what I can do.

Any suggestions?

p.s. Does anyone know the correct timing for a late 70's 351W when I do manage to get the distributor to move for me?

Thanks for shedding any light on this thing.

How about putting your truck vitals in your signature to help you get more accurate answers. Click on My Controls at the top of the page, then find Edit Signature on the left hand side of that page.

Are you sure about the 351W. From your question above you apparently have a 78/79 Bronco and unless someone changed the engine, they came with a 351M which is a Big Block engine where a 351W is a small block engine. Why don't you post a picture of the truck and the engine.

Good luck,

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