68 mustang 351w, new distributor(points are adjusted properly), coil, solenoid, voltage regulator, cap and rotor, and plug wires. The problem is the engine will turn over but not start, I've checked the timing and points adj too many times to count. I got the car with no engine and put in this 351w and 289 heads. Please help.

 

Need more details.

Some basic questions.

Do you have fire at the plugs?
Do you have fuel at the carb?

 

Yes fuel to the carb, I've got spark at coil lead but the spark at the plugs is weak, the wires are new. The plugs are used but I used them on another car 6 months ago. I've got 12v going to the coil and the points are gapped properly.

 

Does it try to fire at all?
Or is does it just roll over when the starter is cranked and stop as soon as you stop cranking?
Have you tried spraying some starter fluid in the carb before cranking?

Also, have you checked compression?

 

No it dosent try to start it just rolls over. I did try starter fluid, no difference at all. I haven't done a compression test, is it possible that the compression is too high and it won't detonate low octane fuel?

 

Starter fluid should have taken care of that. Is there fire at the plugs? Is the firing order correct for the 351? I believe it's different than the 302

 

There is spark at the plugs, its weak. You are right the firing order is different and it is set up properly. I've been racking my brain with this for months I was hoping there was something I over looked. Maybe the high compression and weak plugs are preventing it from igniting.

 

Maybe the weak fire issue. Is it converted to hei distributor? No points and condenser. Also does it backfire any?

 

Points distributor, no back fire, nothing it just hopelessly turns over. Very frustrating.

 

Plugs wet after spinning for a while? I'm leaning towards distributer issue.

 

Yeah maybe it's time to go electronic ignition and get with the times.

 

It's worth a shot man. If the plugs are getting wet there's probably not enough fire to them. Unless the carb is dumping fuel and fouling them.

 

I'm gonna try the 351w heads I got with some new plugs and see, maybe the 289 heads are too much for pump gas.

 

If you shut off the fuel supply and go straight starting fluid that should do it. If that was the case. That stuff is pretty potent and should burn in just about anything.

 

you sound as though you know a little bit about what you`re doing .. are you confident the valves are adjusted correctly .. way too loose or tite will not let you run as well .. and all the cranking will have bled the pump up out of your lifters ..

 

This is why I asked the OP if he checked the compression.
Had a buddy with a Jeep CJ that had the same problem.
Turned out, he'd adjusted the valves too tight and there was no compression in the cylinders.
Thing just cranked and cranked but wouldn't fire.

 

Lenny I didn't understand at first but now I get it. They are adj valves and the lifters were dry upon instillation, so as I turned it over they filled up with oil and now the valves stay open, thus no compression, thus no start. I'm gonna check that first thing tomorrow thanks man.

 

Hopefully, you haven't been back to this thread because you're out driving the car...