1968 Mustang Coupe 347 won't start, timing

Lil Hotrod Oz · 10-25-2009

Ok, so upon starting my engine for the first time after rebuild. All I can seem to get out of it is backfiring through the carberator. I have tried to adjust the timing while starting. All its adjusting is how much if backfires. I have read about the distributor being off by a tooth, but I line up with number one cylinder when I am on TDC. I have also heard of it being 180 degrees off with the distributor, but again I thought if I lined it up to number one and TDC then I should be fine. So any help would be appreciated. Been at this for few weeks now. Some other info if someone was in this situation. I got my stroker kit from Eagle in which the balancer that came with the kit, the timing marks didn't line up to the pointer on my timing chain cover. So I had use the first cylinder TDC test to find my TDC mark and have recently put Summit timing tape on it. I really feel I'm close but something is holding me back!

Thanks for you time!

sixtsixstang · 10-25-2009

Not real sure about strokers, but does the firing order change possibly? Anyone know?

Boomyal · 10-25-2009

The crank turns two revolutions for every one revolution of the distributor. It is easy to drop the dizzy in when the timing mark on the damper has only gone around once.

Pull the plugs and have someone hold their thumb down on the #1 hole. Turn the crank pulley bolt around with a socket and when you can feel the compression build on your thumb, check the position of the rotor.

Also, what cam are you using. A lot of 302 /5.0 cam choices use the 351w firing order.(1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8) Stroker or not makes no difference. It is purely with the cam.

66mustang86 · 10-25-2009

sounds to me like you could be 180 out. are you sure you were on tdc and not the start of the intake stroke

Lil Hotrod Oz · 10-26-2009

It is an elgin cam. An off brand mild cam. And I will try that test again. I did do that when first assembling the motor. I will try again

Boomyal · 10-26-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil Hotrod Oz

It is an elgin cam. An off brand mild cam. And I will try that test again. I did do that when first assembling the motor. I will try again

...an offbrand cam should still have come with a firing order direction!

buckistang · 10-26-2009

They same thing happened to me with my 289 a few weeks ago, after a port job. I did the whole pull #1 spark plug and feel for air deal, and I thought I was right. I pulled the dist. cap one last time to see where the rotor was and it was 180 degrees off from where the #1 plug wire was. Pulled dist. and turned rotor to where #1 plug wire was, and engine fired up as soon as I turned the ignition. Try it. It couldn't hurt.

Lil Hotrod Oz · 10-26-2009

It didn't come with one. I got it through an engine machine shop and it was just a cam in a box. I can still try the tdc test and a 351 W firing order though, and thats my plan. When I can make it back home this weekend anyway. I'll keep you guys posted. If anything comes to mind please share.

Thanks

Boomyal · 10-27-2009

I'm sure that the engine machine shop you got the cam from should be able to tell you the firing order. Odd that it was not accompanied by a spec sheet. How the heck are you supposed to know what it is, and even if it is suitable for what you need?

Lil Hotrod Oz · 10-27-2009

Guess I put alot of trust into the shop, I will try the order