400 Hard to start, Not running right

[Checkmate Fever]

Ok, my number 8 plug is not firing for one thing. I have disconnected the plug wire several times just to be sure and it doesnt change it a bit. I suppose that those cheap OReilly OmniSpark wires are the culprit. I'm waiting to here back from someone with an ohm meter to test it.

Also, I noticed on the back of the engine there is what looks to be a fitting with a multi-line vacuum port screwed into it. There is an open port that looks like it is supposed to have something plugged into it but I cannot find and undone line. When I put my finger over the hole it slows the idle down. Not sure what thats about. Its the middle port on this three port adapter.

[pitbulls20]

One thing that had me when I installed my distributor was my timing was off. I THOUGHT I was on TDC but I was off by about a 90 Degree turn of the distributor. If you have a helper hold your finger over the #1 cylinder and get your friend to "Bump" the engine over until it blows your finger off the hole. Then drop your distributor in with rotory button pointing to the #1 plug. I didn't do this the first time around and I was off a good bit. You should be able to crank it from this point and set your timing with the light.

Are your plugs sparking? Did you pull one and get someone to turn the engine over to see if you get anything?

[pitbulls20]

Originally Posted by Checkmate Fever

Also, I noticed on the back of the engine there is what looks to be a fitting with a multi-line vacuum port screwed into it. There is an open port that looks like it is supposed to have something plugged into it but I cannot find and undone line. When I put my finger over the hole it slows the idle down. Not sure what thats about. Its the middle port on this three port adapter.

I think I know what you are talking about. Is this it?

I know the brake vaccum goes to it. I think the cruise control goes to it and I believe the emissions vaccum connects to it. I see in the pic one hose goes to the vaccum for the transmission also. I am not by my shop manual to look but I think you can just plug it off because it is pulling to much air into the intake. When I put the new intake on it eliminated mine.

[Checkmate Fever]

Yep thats the one. The middle port is missing something.

As far as the timing goes, I am working on it by myself pretty much. I have it bumped around so that right now the crank says its at about 12 degrees BTDC and the rotor looks to be pointing in the general viscinity of the #1 pole on the dist cap. I put all the old wires back on, they went on with a firm snap while the new ones did not so I believe I am sparking....can't seem to located the old coil wire though, think that if the rest of the new wires weren't working too well then that one might not be either.

[slstreit]

Kinda late on the chime-in. Possible it may have jumped time.

Bring #1 up to +/- 10 degrees BTDC (on the power stroke). Mark #1 on the base case cap of the distributor. Pull the top cap and see if the rotor is lined up with your mark on the base cap. It happens.