My 302 Won't start!

[Jim Oaks]

The 302 in the old Ranger (TRS-1) was running fine except for an off idle hesitation. I contacted Holley and they had me send them my Offroad Avenger card for a replacement Ithe first series of these carbs had a known hesitation issue).

I pulled the engine out of the Ranger nad put it in to my Bronco II project after cleaning it up, painting it, and putting on some new valve covers. I also added a 2-inch spacer under the carb so the air cleaner would clear the distributor (and I think it's suppose to improve some low end power...or something like that.

Well, the damn thing won't start. I checked the timing, checked to make sure the spark plug wires were on the right cylinders, and switched between the MSD and stock Duraspark ignition.

No go. It makes a sound like it wants to start, but won't fire all the way. Since it sounds like it's trying to start, it tells me it's getting spark and fuel. Trying puring gas in the card and sounded like it wanted to start, and backfired (popped) through the carb.

So now I'm lost. I even put it back at #1 TDC to make sure it and the #1 at the distributor was in sync and that I hadn't got the distributor in the wrong spot.

While I was cranking it today, Vanessa saw some smoke starting to come out of the breather on the driver side valve cover. Actually, I think the first time I tried to start it that it might have popped the PCV valve out of the passenger valve cover because I saw it out and had to put it back in. Hasn't done it since.

Any suggestions? The motor ran fine the last time I drove it. Just had fuel issues from a crappy carb that got replaced.

 

[Teddyzee]

Distributor being off by 180* or even just off by a tooth can cause those sort of symptoms.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I was just thinking, when it wouldn't fire the first few times I brought the #1 to TDC and then pulled and re-installed the distributor to the #1. I wonder if I was right the first time. But then, I can't figure out why it wouldn't have fired the first time.

I don't remember having the distributor out while I was switching motors either....

This is the problem with having so much time lapse in projects. You forget what you have done.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Have you checked the timing chain pull the dizzy cap and put a wrench on the crank bolt turn it clockwise until the rotor turns then turn it counterclockwise until the rotor turns the crank should only turn a couple of degrees before the rotor starts to turn. Put your timing light on the coil wire and see if you get a steady spark while you crank it. Pull the # 1 plug and put your finger in the hole and turn the crank until you feel compression line the timing mark up on TDC and see if the rotor is pointing at the #1 tower on the cap. If the plugs are wet see if it lights on fire could be water also pull the fuel line off the carb and stick it in a clear jar and crank on it for a bit and see if water is in the bottom of the jar. I am guessing it is something simple.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Pull the coil wire when you put your finger in the hole just for giggles.

 

[Jim Oaks]

So today, I turned it over by hand with Vanessa feeling for pressure in the #1 spark plug hole. Once she felt, I cranked it and set the timing at about 10 degrees. Should start at that. No start, sounds like it's going to - sputters some - but no start.

Pulled the puel line and turned the key on (electric fuel pump) and pumped some gas in to a glass jar. Fuel pumped fine and no water at the bottom of the jar.

Pulled the #1 plug and set it against a header bolt. Plug sparks while engine is turning over.

Only thing I can figure now is that there must be some fuel related problem.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

smack the float on the carb with a vise grip. sounds like its hanging up and not letting fuel into the engine

 

[Jim Oaks]

I made sure the bolts for the carb and spacer were tight. No start. Removed the spacer and re-installed the carb. No start.

I did manage to shoot a flame out of the carb trying to start it thow.

Pulled al but the #8 plug (to hard to get in and out) and turned it over to check spark. All had spark.

Noted that the #4 plug was pretty wet. Most seemd dry though.

Pulled the carb and have it on the bench. Seriously wondering if I should pull the bowls and spray out the passeges with carb cleaner.

Wonder if I should put it back on first and smack the float.

I don't remember, can you reuse the bowl gaskets if you remove the bowls??

 

[RangerFabWorks]

I made sure the bolts for the carb and spacer were tight. No start. Removed the spacer and re-installed the carb. No start.

I did manage to shoot a flame out of the carb trying to start it thow.

Pulled al but the #8 plug (to hard to get in and out) and turned it over to check spark. All had spark.

Noted that the #4 plug was pretty wet. Most seemd dry though.

Pulled the carb and have it on the bench. Seriously wondering if I should pull the bowls and spray out the passeges with carb cleaner.

Wonder if I should put it back on first and smack the float.

I don't remember, can you reuse the bowl gaskets if you remove the bowls??

if you dont tear them your ok.

but since your shooting a flame out the carb. your timing is 180 out. your firing on the wrong side. or your firing order is outta wack. make sure you dont have your wires crossed.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I don't see how the timing can be out of wack. I had Vanessa feel for cylinder pressure when the piston was coming up and then set the timing on that stroke.

I agree, the backfire through the carb makes me think timing, but I can't find anything wrong with it. I even checked the plug wires to make sure they were on in the correct order hoping I had made a simple stupid mistake.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

You have the carb off maybe a rebuild would be in order. strip it down to aluminum pull the jets dont mess with the butterflys. Soak it in acetone/carb cleaner overnight and blast all the ports good with water first then blow everything out good with air. I like to lay everything out on a bench in the order you took it apart keeping all the gaskets so you know what parts in the kit go to your carb.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Is there someone here that lives close to you that can help you hammer it out it dont hurt to ask for another set of hands.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

I don't see how the timing can be out of wack. I had Vanessa feel for cylinder pressure when the piston was coming up and then set the timing on that stroke.

I agree, the backfire through the carb makes me think timing, but I can't find anything wrong with it. I even checked the plug wires to make sure they were on in the correct order hoping I had made a simple stupid mistake.

try rotating the distributer while vanessa cranks it over. its gotta be timing related

 

[Jim Oaks]

Shouldn't my plugs be wet from trying to start it?

 

[RangerFabWorks]

Shouldn't my plugs be wet from trying to start it?

if its firing just not in time they may not be