So my wonderfull new 5.8 wont start properly. get a great punch for a few seconds then it shuts off. I was told it could be the fact that the 95 f150 wiring harness wants there to be a knock sensor to read. Unfortunatly the 351w dosnt have a knock sensor location. my thought was take the old knock sensor off the blown 302 and just plug it into the harness and leave it as is. SLIGHT issue came up where I snapped the sensor trying to take it out of the old block. I have been searching every ware trying to find a knock sensor but they dont make them anymore. before I waste a day doing to the junk yard and pulling one, would there be an easier way to fool the computer? or is this even my issue? would the lack of a knock sensor cause this issue? anyone know where the heck you can buy one?

 

Knock sensor won't keep it from running..

Sounds like fuel or spark problem. Can you verify that fuel pump is supplying enough fuel? That makes more sense, seeing that with Key On, fuel pump primes and waits for spark with key in Run position. If your hoses are linked, it can happen with braided fuel line, that's a possibility.

Check for DTC's first.

 

Nope.. the computer completely ignores most sensors at cold start so that's not your problem.

We're gonna assume you have the base timing set approximately right.. distributor inserted so the rotor points to #1 post on cap when #1 piston is TDC on compression stroke. With that done leave the clamp bolt just lose enough so that the distributor can be turned by hand and while somebody cranks the motor someone else needs to turn the distributor until the motor fires and remains running. This also assumes you have verified that you have a constant 40psi fuel pressure at the motor and all wiring is connected correctly.