New to the Forum and have a Timing Problem

[Wbruiser2]

I was on another forum and it seemed if you really needed some advice other than what type spark plugs or mufflers to buy you were SOL... I need some help,
I recently acquired a 76 F100. It has (and some supposedly) a 302 (from Advanced Auto), C6, 600 Holley, .471 lift cam, bored .30, and the distributor has been upgraded to non-points (electronic?) oh and an accel coil.
I adjusted the float bowls on the carb the other day and while i was cranking and so forth with the coil wire on and off I noticed it was corroded and there was corrosion inside the coil. I ordered new wires and a coil.
I received the new wires and took all the old ones off assuming they go back on in the standard firing order for a 302 and didn't pay attention to what they were before. I think, can't be a 100% certain, when I pulled off the old wires the #1 cylinder wire was on the #6 terminal of the distributor which basically diagonally across from the #1 on the distributor cap. The truck won't start now and will back fire through the carb about every two turn overs. Any ideas?

 

[Fellro]

It depends on how the PO had it set up as to how the wires go. You will need to find when #1 is at TDC, and then you can use that to base your wiring arrangement off of. Basically, use the harmonic balancer timing mark to find either #1 or the # half way through the pattern. Without having to disturb anything, you will be making a guess, so it will be 50/50 on which it is. Where ever the rotor points to, set up as #1, and if that isn't it, rotate around to the mark again, and then the one that one points to will be #1.

BTW, points pretty much ended at 74.

 

[Wbruiser2]

Thanks for the advice. I just went out and pulled the number one plug and turned it over by hand until it was TDC. Pulled the Cap and there sat the rotor pointing at number 6. Guess I'll redo the wires tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[DNFXDLI]

What Roger said is right on the money...once you have found TDC, just follow the firing order and all should be good.

 

[Mil1ion]

You are supposed to coat all high tension wire ends with di-electric grease to prevent corrosion

 

[Wbruiser2]

All right, I got the wires on, truck started but it won't idle and it has a small miss in it. I made sure I don't have any wires crossed. I kept it running for awhile and when I let off the gas it doesn't just gradually die, it stops cold. Any suggestions? I'm scratchin my head here... My phone a friend said the timing was too slow or off a tooth but, it ran fine before I changed the wires and cap...

 

[Ranger429]

You need to move your wires 1 hole either CW or CCW. Your firing order is off.

 

[Wbruiser2]

Well Ranger you sounded so confident I got excited and went out and moved them 1 to the right. No need to go the other direction because thats where I had it first. So, after moving them 1 CCW it would crank just wouldn't start like the coil wire was off (but it wasn't)...

 

[Wbruiser2]

Funny story: While I was rolling around on the floor turning the engine over to find TDC, I found a bolt laying on the floor. I had no idea where it came from but I knew it come off the truck and figured I would find out where it went later. Turns it out it went inside a vaccumn line on the underside of the carb. Runs like a raped ape now. Thanks..

 

[Jolly Green]

Gremlins.

Glad you got it going...and thanks for letting us know what you found!

 

[m78]

If it were me, I'd pull the distributor out enough to spin the rotor around the 180* that its out. Then rearrange the wires the way they're supposed to be.