Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Starting issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 03:23 PM
  #1  
gunner360's Avatar
gunner360
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
Starting issue

heres the situation, a friend of mine bought a 90 f150 with a 302 in it. From the start it was having issues. We dig into it and determined that the timing chain had too much slack about 1/2 in movement on the chasing when you squeeze them together. We put everything back together, all the electrical connections, vacuum lines, everything. From the start it didn’t run right and one of the first hinges he replaced was the distributor. Once we got it all back together since we weren’t sure if it was right to begin with I looked online to find something on how to put it back correctly. I will say that we did put the new timing on correctly, lined up the cam with the crankshaft key and made sure the dots were lined up on the timing gears. When putting the distributor back in I lined the rotor up with the number 1 cylinder and started installing the wires from the number 1 on the cap going clockwise. I’ve tried the regular firing order as well as the h.o. Firing order for the hell of it since we weren’t sure if it was the original motor. I’ve also tried starting with the plug wires starting at the spot closest to cylinder 1 for the hell of it. I’ve used a screw driver to check spark from the coil and from the wires themselves and we can’t get it to start. It has fuel, spark and air and for the life of us we can’t figure out the timing. And help or suggestions?
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2018 | 07:35 PM
  #2  
88n94's Avatar
88n94
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 149
From: South Dakota
First of all you need to go counter clockwise if you are installing spark plug wires using the firing order. ie the distributor rotor turns counter clockwise.

When changing distributors, it is best not to lose track of which stroke the engine is on unless you have a valve cover off or are good at determining the stroke by sticking a finger in the #1 spark plug hole. ie install the new distributor with the rotor pointing in at least roughly the same direction as the rotor was on the old distributor. Then you can line the timing marks up and check the closeness of the rotor.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cgunning17
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
May 3, 2018 09:17 PM
64'F100BobbySurfer
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Jul 27, 2015 06:56 AM
Buyerz
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Jun 17, 2013 12:00 AM
montgomery7
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
23
Mar 1, 2010 07:53 PM
luke-gr
Y-Block V8 (239, 272, 292, 312, 317, 341, 368)
18
Nov 1, 2007 03:28 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:17 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE