I recently fixed my wiring for my 390 FE, the issue now is timing. Now, the cap and rotor are fine, firing order is correct, when cranking it sounds as if the motor is firing but is not turning over and running. One thing I should add is my friend pulled out the distributor and put it back in, I do not know if he put it in wrong and missed it by a tooth because I wasn't there but this Ive heard makes a difference. I'd just like to hear what you guys think before I go forward and pull stuff off to get to the timing chain.

 

Welcome to FTE

Did it run before your friend pulled the distributor? That would be the logical reason that it doesn't run now. Make sure the distributor has been "stabbed" correctly before chasing any other rabbits!

Make sure the #1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke, and note where the rotor points. It should be just shy of the #1 plug wire tower receptacle on the cap. Recall that the distributor doesn't really care what terminal is #1, so long as the firing order is correct - but deviating from the factory setup can cause other problems, for example the vacuum advance will contact the intake manifold before enough advance can be timed in. It's best to set it up correctly. Just give it a little lead before installation, to account for the helical gear, it will drop right in soon enough.

 

Once you find TDC, you don't need to repull the distributor, you can just move the wires if need be.

 

Did you check the initial timing with a timing light yet?

It can be off one tooth, or half the gear, and still run perfectly if you find TDC on #1 compression stroke, put the wires where they are supposed to be (ignoring the possible "1" on the cap), and set the initial timing.

 

Exactly my thoughts, and you don't have to listen to some know it all telling you that it is wired wrong....

 

Yeah. 20 years ago when first bought my 64, unbeknownst to me at the time, it had a slipped damper ring, and on top of that, the distributor was installed 180 degrees out. Knew a little bit about timing an engine but ran like **** till I got all that straightened out.

 

I would agree with the rest of the gentlemen that the dist got stabbed back off a tooth or two.

 

Suggest conduct a quick timing check to determine if, or, how far it's off. Couple cheap tools I like to use; a button type remote start>http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1500_.jpg and an inline spark plug tester:http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...bL._SX425_.jpg Rotate engine, immediately stop when #1 fires and check position of rotor; if 180 degrees off then go thru 1 more cycle.

A back yard mechanic method I occasionally resort to is remove #1 spark plug, place finder in the opening and rotate the engine until compression forces finger out of the opening, immediately stop then check the position of the rotor, this is only to determine if the timing is in the ball park, fine tune one engine is running. I would also check the idle mixture setting, and float lever, keeping in mind, adjust idle mixture then one needs to recheck timing and vice versa?

Finally, check for vac leaks, and depending upon Brand, type, model carb will determine whether vac advance operates off primary, or secondary vacuum? Anyhow, suggest wait for more knowledgeable member's to chime-in, food for thought?