What is wrong?!
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2013
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What is wrong?!
Ok, so I've been trying to get my 78 f150 running. I can not get my 300 timed to save my life. I've set the number one cylinder to top dead center on the compression stroke. I set the distributor with the rotor facing the correct way and I've even adjusted the distributor almost all the way around slowly while trying to crank it. I cannot figure out why it will not crank to save my life. Please help!
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,877
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From: Tennessee
Yes . TDC #1 on compression . Rotor pointing to #1on cap . Should get you in the ball park . Timing marks could be off and not usable . Fire and fuel under compression at the proper time , It should at least try to run . What led to your current no run condition . Did it just die ? or has it been sitting a while ?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 862
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From: like subarctic, brrr man!
How did you check for compression stroke?
I like pulling #1 spark plug and feeling for air being pushed out...
Also, The 300 timing cover has several timing marks, are you looking at the right ones?
I like pulling #1 spark plug and feeling for air being pushed out...
Also, The 300 timing cover has several timing marks, are you looking at the right ones?
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2013
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It was running fine. Then I was pulling some bushes out for my neighbor and it just all of a sudden started running like crap. I thought it was the carb because I didn't mess with the timing at all. I tried my friends carb on it and it didn't help at all. So I figured maybe something happened with the timing so I tried to adjust the distributor and noticed that it wasn't getting better. So that's when I decided to try and reset the timing by finding top dead center. I find it by having my friend hold his finger over the hole until it blows out then put a dowel in the hole and turn it until the dowel stops moving up. I have done a compression test on the truck and all of my readings were good. I just don't know what could have happened.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 49
From: Tennessee
I think you need to start from square one . Timing does not go off all at once unless something broke . Stripped gears in the timing or at the dizzy .
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Freshman User
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I have replaced the dizzy. And check the gears each time I've pulled it and they seem fine. I've reset it to top dead center 3 or 4 times now. I dont really know how much further I can go back to start at the beginning. I did make sure there was fuel and spark.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 49
From: Tennessee
Good spark ? week coil ? Bad module ? Have it tested . Fuel quality ? I towed one in a few weeks ago . Had half a tank of water in it .... Just saying . you are focused on timing . It may be something else .
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,877
Likes: 49
From: Tennessee
One more thing ... I had one towed years ago. Guy backed into a dirt bank, plugged his exaust 8 inches deep with dirt and killed the engine .... Just saying take a breath ( that can help ) and look at other possibles . Best of luck !
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Freshman User
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Yes, the spark looks very clean and strong. I will put some more gas in there the next time I get a chance to get over there and work on it. I feel like the quality of the gas could be the only thing or the quantity of it. I just need to get this figured out!