My 302 Won't start!

[Jim Oaks]

I'm really lost for thoughts here....

I rotated it and made sure pressure was coming from the #1 cylinder. Even stuck an extension in there to make sure the piston was coming up. Set the timing at 10 degrees and put the distributor at #1 plug. All the plugs are in the right order.

At this point, I don't know how to set the timing because it seems like it's way to far out than what I could turn the distributor to tune for.

This is really frustrating me......

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

look down the venturis and pump the throttle by hand. there should be fuel squirting out.

if there is no fuel squirting out there is no fuel in the fuel bowl.

the carb is new? the float might be stuck or misadjusted.

the fact that it won't start even momentarily when you put fuel straight down into the intake does sound like the ignition timing is off. a timing light should help to tell you exactly where it is set as you crank it

 

[RangerFabWorks]

I'm really lost for thoughts here....

I rotated it and made sure pressure was coming from the #1 cylinder. Even stuck an extension in there to make sure the piston was coming up. Set the timing at 10 degrees and put the distributor at #1 plug. All the plugs are in the right order.

At this point, I don't know how to set the timing because it seems like it's way to far out than what I could turn the distributor to tune for.

This is really frustrating me......

rotates all the wires around to the next plug on the cap. this will allow you to dial in the timing

 

[Jim Oaks]

look down the venturis and pump the throttle by hand. there should be fuel squirting out.

if there is no fuel squirting out there is no fuel in the fuel bowl.

the carb is new? the float might be stuck or misadjusted.

the fact that it won't start even momentarily when you put fuel straight down into the intake does sound like the ignition timing is off. a timing light should help to tell you exactly where it is set as you crank it

when I pulled the carb off the truck I turned it over and gas was pouring out of it. The bowels were definitely full.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

You are timing it with a light right.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

look at the timing marks with the light as you crank on it. If you dont see the timing marks put the timing light on another wire until you see the timing marks. Use that tower on the cap for number one and set the firing order from there. pour some gas down the carb that should get the plugs wet.

 

[Teddyzee]

...and you will also feel air coming out of the plug hole during the exhaust stroke.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I wondered about that, but I would think it would be much less since the exhaust valves are opening.

 

[plainschurch]

Good spark?

Hi!
Just thought i would leave my 2 cents.How good was the spark when you checked it? If it is all yellow and stringy?Thats not going to do.Even with the duraspark you should have a nice strong blue spark.You can also pick up a cheap spark output tester from your autoparts store and check with that.You mentioned that you painted the engine while it was out.Are the ground points clean and paint free?Did you paint with the plugs out?Thick enough paint can cause problems with spark plug grounding too.Also where the distributor sticks in should be clean,clamped down and grounded.A poor condition coil wire can make for a weak spark also.Hope you get fired up soon!

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Are you sure the timing chain is good run a compression test make sure all the cylinders are within 10%. Put it on 0 degrees TDC on the compression stroke and check that the rotor is pointing toward #1 plug wire on the cap.
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/ford-302-firing-order-distributorcap-120187.html
Confirm you have all the wires correct set up your timing light on #1 plug wire and preset the timing at 6 dbtdc if it dont start it is a fuel/vacuum issue. Do you have all the vacuum lines connected PCV, brake booster, check for hard or cracked hoses and replace them. The engine was running before the swap maybe try capping the brake booster port to eliminate that variable. Another thing different is your carb spacer make sure it covers the entire surface of the base of the carb and I always make a new gasket every time I pull the carb. By what you say that only one plug was wet I am voting for a simple vacuum leak your missing. Been there done that GL

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Has that engine been built I was reading on the link I gave you if it has a 351 cam the firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 jut a thought.

 

[shane96ranger]

Has that engine been built I was reading on the link I gave you if it has a 351 cam the firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 jut a thought.

That's what I was just wondering. If it is an HO motor you've just thrown a carb on, it will also use the 351 firing order. It definitely sounds timing related.

 

[Jim Oaks]

They say when your engine won't start from doing a swap it's usually something stupid. It was. Rotated the engine clockwise with a breaker bar to set the time, and then put the spark plug wires on. Had them in the right order, but wrong direction. Went around the cap clockwise. Forgot it went counter-clockwise.

New Problem:

It still wouldn't start until I poured gas in the carb. Then it started and ran for a few seconds until it used up the gas.

I know I have fuel going in to the bowls, but no fuel coming out when I hit the accellerator.

I ran this carb briefly well over a year ago and it's set since then. My guess is it's plugged up from sitting.

Now I guess I'm stuck back to taking it apart.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Weird.

I tried to start it again pouring gas in the carb. This time it kept running until I shut it off. Had to pour gas in the carb to start it the next time. Now it starts when I turn the key without having to pour gas in it, but it stumbles real bad off idle when I hit the gas.

 

[Teddyzee]

It's a step, anyway!