390 Ford engine
 

I just rebui;lt a Ford FE and I'm having problems getting it started, The timing is right and the firing order is right. The compression on the 5 holes I checked is good enough to run, the spark plug wires are caring juice but the spark seems to be yellow and I don't know if this is sufficient to start it up. The distributor was in the engine before the rebuild and the engine ran well. I checked 5 wires and they are all careing juice, the engine has kind of hit a very little. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

Tell us more Mel there are guys here that can help. What ignition are you running? You pull a couple plugs? Are they wet? if yes that you ar getting fuel. How old is that fuel?
Does it pop, spit, or what when you crank it. Did you try turning distrbuter and see if it kicks back. Coil wired right? Got proper grounds on Motor and frame?

I'm not trying to insult you--I've made this mistake myself in the past. I know you said you have the firing order right:

1) Are you sure you set the static timing with #1 at TDC--the compression stroke?

2) Are you sure you have the firing order going in the right direction on the distributor?

firing order
 

I was used to working on Ford FE.s, I put a new cap and rotor on my Nailhead buick in the willys and wired it the Ford firing order and rotation, It startaed and ran poorly. when i got it right and compared 5 cylinders were right on. the other 3 way off.

Thanks Guys
 

I'm sorry for the delay in answering your post but I have been busy. The engine is grounded correctly and I set the timing by bumping the starter until the intake opened and then bumped it until the marks aligned. I'm using the oringinal distributer that came from a running engine but I replaced the points and condenser and rotor. The coil is wired right and came off a running engine, the distributer rotates counter clockwise and I have run out the firing order three times, righht bank is 1 thru 4, left bank is 5 thru 8.

I have not got more than a week couple of fires as the starter was being disengaged. The spark through the tester was yellow and I think I will try rotating the dist 180% but I don't see how it could be off considering how I timed it but I would like to get some kind of responmse, even if it were a back fire through the carb, I'm thinking I may pull the dist and put it on a check for fire. Thanks for all your replies and maybe this too shall pass.

Are you getting fuel at the carb? Is the carb or fuel filter gummed up from old gas & not being run for a long time?

bt

What kind of car? Are you sure you have 12 v at coil while cranking? Sounds like maybe a bad key switch since you say it sparks when key released. Is there supposed to be a wire from solenoid to coil to aid in starting like a GM has?

390 Ford engine
 

Mel, An easy way to find out if it's firing on #1 is to hook the timing light up to #1 spark plug wire. Turn ignition switch on, turn the engine over with a breaker bar and socket. Have someone looking at the light and as soon as it flashes stop. Turn ignition switch off. Pull the cap to see where the rotor is pointing. Wire the cap starting where the rotor is now pointing. If ignition system is okay it will start. If you have weak spark try running a wire from the battery to the (-)coil. Don't forget Ford is a positive ground system. Key switch to - post, points to + post.

Ok guys just as I was beginning to suspect the distributor was my problem, I replaced the distributor with one that I had laying around and now I;m getting an attempt to start. Not running yet but trying so now I can get a light on the timing and get it set right on and I'm sure it will run. Thanks to all for your input and ideas but the thing that was throwing me off was getting a spark through the inlighn spark tester. I'm fully confident that it will be running when I have an hour or two to devote to it. These old distributors are very touchy and I would like a replacement option for an electronic distributor replacement for this FE.

The last390 i rebuilt wouldn’t start either, I spent time checking everything it was correct, My brother stopped by and said new engine more compression less lose replace the starter. i said hmm and at a last resort replaced the starter with a new one. It started right off the bat.

390 Ford engine
 

Check this Pertronix Distributor PerTronix D133711 - PerTronix Flame-Thrower Plug and Play Billet Distributors with Ignitor II® Module - Overview - SummitRacing.com. This is a stand alone unit. This is the coil to use with it. PerTronix 45111 - PerTronix Flame-Thrower II Ignition Coils - Overview - SummitRacing.com. They are compatible with multi-spark CD ignition boxes for outstanding versatility. Check this ignition system package. PerTronix COMBOBBFR - PerTronix Complete Ignition System Packages - Overview - SummitRacing.com

390 Ford engine
 

You can also go this route. Buy a Cardone New Electronic Distributor at $117.00 or Re-manufactured for $45.00. A Mototcraft DY893 ignition box for $101. A MSD coil for $47.00. For the harness you would have to find one from a 76-85 passenger car or 302/351M/400 pickup. You can do a search here on DuraSpark Conversion.