351m Timing
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Trailering
Joined: Dec 2019
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351m Timing
Hey everybody,
I had the 78 F150 with 351m running, and then I went to fine tune the timing, the timing light read 30 BTDC, so I retarded it and the engine puttered out. Now it won't start, and I can't seem to adjust the distributor to a point where it will start. Any ideas? Thanks all.
I had the 78 F150 with 351m running, and then I went to fine tune the timing, the timing light read 30 BTDC, so I retarded it and the engine puttered out. Now it won't start, and I can't seem to adjust the distributor to a point where it will start. Any ideas? Thanks all.
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Trailering
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
no it was still hooked up, forgot to cap it. Just went through the process of finding tdc again. But now I can’t get it to turn over.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
Likes: 1,175
From: San Jose, CA
Have you turned the distributor all the way back to where it was before?
I've seen it happen before where it's running and then after twisting the distributor to dying, an engine won't start again. Seen it many times in fact, but it's never been satisfactorily explained other than "just one of those odd things" that happens.
No reasonable reason for it not to start after you turn the distributor back, unless you go too far, or not far enough. Could be loaded up with fuel. Could be the distributor body and block bore are dirty, not allowing the distributor to ground well. Could be it overloaded an ignition control module and burned it out. Probably other things as well.
Are you running stock Dura Spark? Or something else?
You need to first verify that you're still seeing a good spark. You can at least get an idea of this with your timing light while cranking. If the light is flashing consistently and evenly while the engine is turning over, re-try advancing it more.
If you've only turned it a little bit, turn it some more even if it's temporarily too far advanced.
Paul
I've seen it happen before where it's running and then after twisting the distributor to dying, an engine won't start again. Seen it many times in fact, but it's never been satisfactorily explained other than "just one of those odd things" that happens.
No reasonable reason for it not to start after you turn the distributor back, unless you go too far, or not far enough. Could be loaded up with fuel. Could be the distributor body and block bore are dirty, not allowing the distributor to ground well. Could be it overloaded an ignition control module and burned it out. Probably other things as well.
Are you running stock Dura Spark? Or something else?
You need to first verify that you're still seeing a good spark. You can at least get an idea of this with your timing light while cranking. If the light is flashing consistently and evenly while the engine is turning over, re-try advancing it more.
If you've only turned it a little bit, turn it some more even if it's temporarily too far advanced.
Paul
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