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351 M Timing Issues HELP!

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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 09:10 AM
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351 M Timing Issues HELP!

I have a 79 F-100 dent side with a 351 M. I was adjusting the 4 barrel as I was get crappy mpg. Got the truck running great then checked the timing. 28 degress BTDC. Should be at 6-8. Last year replaced the ignition mod, distributor, coil, and a complete tune up. Changed intake and carb this past summer. Buddy told me distributor needs to be turned back because of timing. Turned back distributor at TDC wires and cap good at number 1 with rotor button. Now cant get truck to start. Removed distributor and did it all over again multiple times dbl, and triple checked wires and cap, everything good. Still wont start. When trying to start spits fuel out of carb. VERY FRUSTRATED. After 8 hrs tried to kick it over and light it on fire, at least I wanted to. OH yeah this is my daily driver.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 11:51 AM
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Sounds like your distributor is way off. Pull it out and start from scratch is what I would do. This is assuming the distributor is in great working condition, and you have no vacuum leaks.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 11:54 AM
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I have done that 4-5 times and after I try to start it and it doesn't work I re check TDC with #1 piston. The rotor will be 180* from where I started.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 11:59 AM
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You were checking the timing with the vacuum advance unplugged, right?
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 12:02 PM
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I am going to say this. I took the distributor out so many times and had to unhook the advance line every time but once I put the distributor back in I think I hooked it back up.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 12:04 PM
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Plus I never got to the point where the truck would start to check it.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 12:05 PM
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Well it sounds like you've cranked it over so long that you've flooded it so certainly let it sit for a while to clear the gas out of the intake.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by rh428wf
Plus I never got to the point where the truck would start to check it.
I'm referring to when you were reading 28* BTDC.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 12:10 PM
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You made sure you're at TDC of the compression stroke, correct?
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 12:10 PM
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No at that point it was still hooked up. I know better but working 24hrs then trying to work on a truck, not good. So what do I need to do now.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 12:12 PM
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ctubutis, yes everytime but it would be 180* off when I checked it after I tried to start it and then went to TDC #1
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 12:12 PM
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#1 will be tdc 2 times only 1 of those 2 is compression stroke thats when the rotor should be pointed at #1 wire on cap .. the compression stroke will blow air out sparkplug hole when piston is coming up to tdc
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by rh428wf
I have done that 4-5 times and after I try to start it and it doesn't work I re check TDC with #1 piston. The rotor will be 180* from where I started.
If your rotor changes position when you put the engine at TDC then the shear pin holding the dist gear has , for lack of a better word, sheared!

Do you have the valve cover off to be sure you are TDC with both rockers loose when the piston is at the top? And the timing pointer is at 0*?

.
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 12:17 PM
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When I checked for TDC I was always checking #1 piston being as far to the top as possible as I knew that was correct TDC. With that being said I would set the rotor where #1 would be. (starting over I guess)
 
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Old Jan 22, 2012 | 12:24 PM
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Piston is at TDC twice

Originally Posted by rh428wf
When I checked for TDC I was always checking #1 piston being as far to the top as possible as I knew that was correct TDC. With that being said I would set the rotor where #1 would be. (starting over I guess)
Just wanting to be clear....

As was said, there are two times when the piston is at TDC:

- On the compression stroke;

- On the exhaust stroke.

If you install the distributor while on the exhaust stroke, no, the engine won't start and you'll sometimes get big backfires through the carb.
 
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