Hey yall I have a 351w with a wered problem. My truck is not timed perfectly yet, however I tok i took it out for a test drive(I had to park it because it was backfireing a lot) came back turned it off and now it wont start because it has no spark HELP!!!!!

P.S. Does anyone have a wireing diagram for a 1981 351windsor.

 

Check your firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-7-8 (especially the 7 and 8 wires... lots of folks get 'em reversed for some reason). What model year are we dealing with here?

 

I got it to start(it was a severed wire) but the timing is still off and I can not get it to run good at all.

P.S. it is a 1981

 

are you using a timing light and are you pulling the vac advance.

 

no i am not doing either. I didn't know you had to pull the vac advance.

 

The hose not the distributor or you will not be able to set timing and idle.

Rick.

 

thanks yall

 

get yourself a haynes manual.

 

I got the truck running reely good but the weired thing is it only runs good with the vac advance UN-HOOKED. If i tri to hook it up while it is running it will imedently shut-off. And it is acting like it has the vac- advanc hooked up.
Thanks for all the help yall farmall hcrazy.

 

Igniter wiring and when the vacuum advance moves inside the distributor it shorts the wires to ground.

Or you didn't set the idle timing with the advance hose off and plugged perhaps.

Remember timing can only be set with a timing light and not by ear.


Rick.

 

Indeed, make certain that when you set the timing you do ALL of the following:

Warm the engine up to it's normal operating temperature somehow BEFORE you get started. (Not doing this will throw everything off).
Disconnect the vacuum advance hose AND cap or plug it at the end of the hose or at the barb on the carburetor. (If you don't plug it you are creating a vacuum leak and everything will be out of whack).
Loosen the distributor clamp bolt just enough that you can turn it slightly by hand. Too tight and you will fight it... too loose and you won't be able to keep it in place to check it.
Start the truck with the timing light already connected. (Watch those wires around the fan)!
Align the marks on the harmonic balancer and the timing gauge using the timing light and rotating the distributor very slightly until the marks are lined up as they should be with each engine revolution. If the marks start out close and get further apart, rotate the distributor the other direction. (Timing gauge = Little tab with numbers on it attached to the timing cover has "0" and a couple marks in either direction for BTDC and ATDC. (Refer to a manual for the proper timing setting)
Once the marks are lining up where they should with the vac-advance pulled and plugged, shut down the engine and remove the timing light.
Lock down the distributor clamp bolt or the vibrations will just let it wander all over the place!
Uncap and replace the vac-advance line.
Restart the truck with everything put back the way it should be.

If you still have issues with it running right, your problem is most likely not timing related but electrical or fuel delivery.

By the way BTDC, 0 and ATDC are Before Top Dead Center, Top Dead Center, and After Top Dead Center

Apologies if this sounds rudimentary but I responded not knowing the knowledge base or skill level of everyone who may look to this thread for answers.

 

I am not able to use a timing light because there are no marks on the harmonic balancer. What does the mark look like on a 351 windsor(there is not a deep or even shallow mark and when i say that I mean line).

 

I might add to leave the light hooked up and check the timming one more time after you tighten the clamp bolt. Sometimes it moves slightly when you tighten it.

 

I wont say you cant time without a light. (I've done it) But It is difficult and you'll never get it as close as a light. I suspect you lines are just dirty/rusty. Maybe you can clean it with steel wool.