Sometime ago I bought a 351w cam from a guy with no specs. He said it was a mild RV cam (new). I know it is not a 302 cam. I had a machine shop look it over, they said it appeared to be slightly above a stock cam. Anyway I put it in my 351w I was building. The short block is all stock, Heads have new valves and guides with roller rockers. Edlebrock intake with edlebrock 600 cmf carb. Replaced the points with pertronix ingnition system. I am not trying to build a hot rod just a motor that runs good.
The problem I am having is this; If I were to go and crank on it, it would not start right up. When it does start it does only by continually cranking. It sounds great when it gets going. I have checked and set the timing, checked for vac leaks. I am at the point where I am thinking it could either be the cam or distributor.
Here are two questions;
1, not knowing the year application-Did ford keep the same timing degree on all there small block camshafts (maybe it could be a timing issue with the cam?)
2, Is there a dwell in the distributor that needs to be set or would it matter with the pertronix.
It never back fires or pops out the carb or exhaust. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.

 

I know that if you have a 302 block and a 351w cam you have to set the timing to the cam itself for it to run right.

 

Most Ford timing is around teh 8 degree mark, if I recall correctly. Does the motor fire back up right away after it has been running? There is no dwell with the Pertronix, but if I recall correctly there was a feeler guage provided to set the pick-ups apart with. Also, did you widen the gap on the plugs after installing the Pertronix. How is the shot of fuel from the carb?

Just a few thoughts... --Mike

 

Much thanks Mike;
I have played with the timing back and forth. Yes after it has been running it does fire right back up. I used the feeler guage to set the pick-ups. I did not widen the gaps on the plugs though. It seems to be getting a good shot of fuel. I must also mention that when I step on it from a stop it has a large flat spot. I have to raise my foot up for it to regain life. It doesnt pop or back fire though.

 

It sounds like you are experiencing carb problems, I know the Edel is not a fovorite around here... Do you have a manual or electric choke on there? Widen up the gap on your plugs per the Pertronix recommendations and get the carb tuned out/dialed in.

--Mike

 

I will do some playing around with the carb. I recently came across a guy who did not have good things to say about the edlebrock carbs. If I can get ahold of an extra carb (just to see if it acts as it should) I will put it on. When I adjust the choke it acts as if it is going to start.

 

to tell you the truth, there is nothing wrong with edelbrock carbs, its the people who don't know how to adjust them who hate them. I have 2 of them and have had zero problems with em. if you need help with adjusting it let us know we'll help you.

 

I loved my Edelbrock carb. They tell you so much about tuning and it fit my V6 manifold unlike a holley.

 

302 ho &351 windsor firing order is 13726548. Non ho 302 firing order is 15426378 and the order is all in the cam . Try the non ho firing order

 

Here's a thought- have you checked you fuel pump for pressure and delivery? Could be starving for gas untill it sucks enough to run. Just a thought.

 

I kinda thought the samething, but it should fire right up though with the gas from the bowl.

I also have an edelbrock and love it (as long as you get the right set of springs for the secondaries they are great (no leaks) Holleys are just fine to, but I always have problems with em leaking, so I do have a lot more experience with em b/c I've had to rebuild a lot more of em, never have rebuilt a edelbrock, but when I bought the carb. new it came with a book on how to properly tune it, very good and informational, I read the whole thing just b/c I was curious as to how they worked. Sadly I lost the book.

Trying the reg 302 firing order does sound like a good start though, I would think it would pop though if that many cyl. were off or if you wired ur dist clockwise accidently (my pickup did run, but not well), at least to eliminate it, next I'd throw a different carb. on that was on another car so you know it's close to being tuned and doesn't have some problem of it's own. You said it's getting good fuel, any black smoke when it flattens out?

Another thought, you put a cam in, you didn't accidently get off a tooth on the chain did you?

 

Hi We have not heard from you how did you make out with the cam problem? I am curious

 

I got so discouraged with it I parked it and bought a 96 f350 psd. I took the pertronix out and put the points back. now it wont get any fire. i did replace the resistor wire. as soon as i get the fire situation figured out i will replace the fuel pump (it doesnt seem like it holds pressure in the line) then i will hit someone up on setting up this edle 650 carb.