I'm trying to fire the 460 up for the first time after a rebuild and can't get it to run. The starter will turn over but it turns slow and sounds wierd. The engine won't fire but it will back fire out of the carb. My first thought here was that I had the distributor in wrong. I set the engine at TDC by cranking the motor clockwise until both valves on #1 were closed and the mark on the crank was at zero. I then dropped in the distributor and marked the rotor position for #1 and installed the #1 plug wire where the rotor was pointing. I put the rest of the plug wires on in firing order (counter clockwise) from there. Does that sound right? Any suggestions to go forward?

 

Yep, counter clockwise.

Here's a cool site that can help:

Ford 429 460 514 V8 Engine Specs-Torque Specs-Cylinder Numbering-Firing Order-Distributor Rotation

Great place for lot's of info!

 

HI, sounds like ignition/distributor out of line, if after rechecking and resetting and it still
willl not run, maybe you may have to re-check cam-timing ? and always check locating
pin in the distributor drive gear it can break,

 

Slightly rotate your distributor clockwise (advancing), then counter clockwise (retarding) while you're turning the engine over. Once it starts set your timing at 8 or 10 degrees before TDC with a light.

If it's backfiring through the carb it has late timing (retarded) ...It's actually firing when the intake valve is open.

 

I've got the truck running and actually drove it around the block for the first time last night. I'm still not happy with the tune but that will get solved. It feels great to have this on the road.

Once I had it fired up an running outside and had neighbors three doors down coming out to see what all the noise was. To say it sounds good is an understatement!

 

that would actually mean its too far advanced if its firing when the intake valve is open...if its retarded it fires late and backfires out of the exhaust, if ran too long like that it will make headers glow bright red...that happened to a mustang the other day in our shop...

i dont know what years dictate what the timing should be at, but my 78 460 only runs between 12*-14* BTDC @ 650rpm in park....you should always check your total advance by timing it at around 36* BTDC @ 3000 rpms....some motors need to be closer to 40* BTDC @ 3000 rpms, but they are usually more radical on cam etc.....

 

I stand corrected.

Factory specs for specific years usually dictate what timing should be. Mine is an 87 and specs are 10* BTDC. @ 650rpm in park with the vacuum advance hose disconnected and plugged.

 

Definitely sounds like the dizzy is out of phase. I read the first post, and I have to play the devils advocate for a sec. You said you set it to TDC by going off of when both valves were closed. If that's the case, you could still be way off. Those valves are closed for the duration of the compression stroke, and you could be at the bottom. Take the #1 plug out, and when both valves close, manually turn the engine with your thumb or finger over the plug hole. When it stops pushing air, then put your dizzy back in; sometimes marks aren't right. Of course, like I said, just playing the devils advocate, you might have already done that. Don't forget, the dizzy spins counter-clockwise, so you don't want it falling in past the #1.