1976 maverick 302 Firing order from old distributor cap not working. The firing order online says 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8, but that backfired pretty bad. I put it back to what it was when I pulled old distributor and won't fire. Does it matter which post you use for #1? #1 is front passenger side right?
FYI order on old distributor was 1-6-4-2-5-3-7-8 Could this timing be right, but maybe I just need to adjust timing position, turning the distributor?
Make sure your distributor is not 180° out of phase with the crank. It runs, but not good and will backfire. Another possibility is that you are using a late 5.0l or 351W cam. The early firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 The late firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 The distributor rotation is CCW
How can I check phase with crank? I know cap has a notch in one side for the vacuum advance, but not sure how to check otherwise. And I just replaced cap, so it should be in same relation as before correct? How do I know if 351 cam or late model? I do know that I just bought plugs and they were not the 14mm thread they were supposed to be for that year, maybe it is later model since it had 18mm, and timing seems off. BTW, thank you.
I tried the order for older 302 with no avail. It shot a little mist back up through carburetor, but wouldn't start. I am not sure what the deal is here...
Ok, so I had #5 and #6 wires when I checked originally. If you switch those two back to what it should it lines up with 302 FE "Old". Still it only spits some mist every once in a while and backfires every once in a while. Should I break loose the distributor bolt and mess with it? OR is this a dangerous move getting it further out of wack? I just don't see what changed. It worked with old cap and rotor, and now new isn't doing it? I did change to 85 5.0 MSD cap and rotor with adapter, but it seems direct replace and fits great....
If it ran before you did this, check everything you did, maybe a bad plug? bad wire? then double check everything. Do you have the rotation correct on the distributor?
I pulled each wire individually off cap. Each time cranked it and got nothing. Checked one of the new spark plugs and it sparks, so I don't think that is the issue. It still feels like timing to me. I know the wires are in the right order, but it won't even fire. This time it caught the carb on fire for a second.
Does the position of #1 on the distributor make a difference? I moved it for convenience sake and I don't think it matters, but maybe it does?
Just start over. Not trying to insult, but it helps to know what is OK before moving on. Find TDC #1 on compression stroke. Remove cap, make sure the rotor reasonably lines up with a post and mark rotor position on housing (#1 fire) so you can see it. Re-install cap and install wires CCW using 15427368, starting at the mark. See if it starts. If not, switch to 13726548. See if it starts. If not, something else is wrong.
Nope, #1 can be wherever you want. As long as it corresponds to #1 TDC compression and you start your CCW firing order from there.
