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Old Feb 14, 2016 | 11:38 PM
  #1  
61 E's Avatar
61 E
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From: Ridgecrest ca
302 won't start

Hey guy's need some help I have a med 70's ford 302 in a 37 ford. It was running a little rough and over heating. Water pump been replaced and had the rad roded out still over heating I replace the cam and had the heads work on put it all back together.
Now it won't start. The timing is ok the distributor is wired right the plug wire is in the right firing order. I have spark and fuel. it pops and back fire through the carb and the exhaust. Not sure what's left. Any help would be appreciated thanks
 
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Old Feb 15, 2016 | 04:17 AM
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willowbilly3
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From: Black Hills of SD
You are probably going to find the timing is 180 out, isn't close or you have the plug wires on wrong. In fact I would be curious how you determined the timing was right if you haven't had it started. Not saying it isn't possible.
Is there a healthy spark? Have you done a compression test to see if the valves are closing right?
Why did you pull the heads? Did you do a test for a leak, or was it just your best guess?
 
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Old Feb 15, 2016 | 09:40 AM
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Sounds like wiring is wrong to me- probably wasn't top dead center when you put the timing chain on it.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2016 | 05:14 PM
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Oh, and it's a rule that you have to tell us what you found.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2016 | 10:12 PM
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Well got the 302 started. Found that the valves needed to be adjusted. What is the best way to adjust the valves?
 
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Old Feb 16, 2016 | 08:31 AM
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That all depends on how new of heads you have. Sometime in the late 60s they went to a rail style that you don't adjust, just tighten down. Pretty crappy system and Ford is rumored to have used longer and shorter pushrods. What is the casting number on the heads? It will start with something like D2XX-. Could also start with a C or E. Picture of the rockers would help a lot too.
 
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