I've replaced the parts inside the distributor cap, a new distributor cap, a pointer, a new coil, a new generator, I searched and read the posts about the reasons it won't start but everything I've checked comes back o.k. Carburator receives gas, tried to check voltage on the wires but am not sure I'm doing the voltage check correctly. When I turn the key, it cranks over and over but doesn't catch, fire, and start. Sounds like it's getting adequate battery power. It turns over evenly and strongly (doesn't sound sluggish). I left the choke open, and nothing. I've tried pushing the accelerator to the floor and it still won't start. There is a spark from the coil to the distributor but if I disconnect it and leave a small gap to see if it sends a spark, it doesn't. I drove it for a couple of days with no trouble at all. It stopped on me 2 days ago and we finally got it to restart somehow, but now it won't start at all. What do I do? Any help will be really appreciated!!!!
when you replace the points they have to be set to about .019" gap when the rubbing block opens them completely. (dwell depends on # of cylinders) Then you should check the timing. (changing points changes the timing. You should change the wires too. Doing a proper tune up is more than replacing parts - get a chiltons Maverick / Comet repair manual at your local parts store - it shows how to do all of it correctly.
do you have points or an eletronic distrbutor? what is the voltage on the + post on the coil with the key in the run postion? your terminoligy on the parts youve replaced is wrong. i think you ment that you replaced points not pointer, not sure what you are refering to as the generator. it could the alternator or the capasitor for the points. when you say coil i assume you mean the ignition coil. what did you gap the points at? what was the dewell of the points when you had it running? what was the ignition timing after you set the points? all of those settings need to reset when you replace the points.
won't start I have points distrbutor! voltage on the + post on the coil says: 5.53 sorry not a generator: it's the alternator regulator Yes 'coil' is really ignition coil. point Gap is set at 0.032 if I'm measuring correctly. I don't know the dwell or the timing.
i really recomend geting an eletronic ignition like the pertronics or a duraspark system. if you dont want to then reset the gap on the points. get a dwell meter and a timeing light. i cant rember what the dwell spec is but some one on here will. if the dwell is off you need to adjust the gap on the points till you get the dwell correct. then reset the timeing. its just easyer to convert to eletronic ignition.
Sounds like it is your point gap. To set the gap, bump or turn the engine over till rubbing block opens the point. "Make sure the rubbing block is at its high point." Get a .019 gap tool, and set the points. Try that, and I bet it will work.
My book says, that the for a stock 71, 302. The point gap .021. Dwell Angle Deg 24-29 Timing BTDC 6 degree's This is from a 1974 ford motor manual This link will help you find your dwell, and set the points. http://www.ehow.com/how_7272711_set-angle-ignition-302-ford.html
Its been a long time since I worked on a 6 cyl but never saw a point gap a large as .032. .021 sounds familiar but you really need to get it set correctly if you want it to run well and the points to last. If you keep the points, a dwell meter would be a good investment. It'll tell you if you got the gap right or not.
Now that you got it running good you should get some new leaf springs and get rid of those shackles. Otherwise the car looks real nice in your gallery pics, Engine bay looks real good.
