I am trying to get my 'stang fired up, it'll crank, but not start. It's timed correctly, the firing order is correct (I believe) and it's getting fuel. I did notice the plug in that goes into the coil that runs back toward the fire wall was unplugged. Where does it plug in? I'll post some pics in a few minutes of the plug in....

 

that absolutely must be plugged in, thats what gives power to the coil. I'm sure you tried starting the car after you plugged that in... whats the results??

 

where does the other end go? I found a plug near the firewall with the same color wires. I thought they might be the other end of those wires.

 

oh oh I misunderstood your first post, I thought just the end at the coil was unplugged. I have no idea where the firewall end would plug in, try looking along the wiring harness for an empty socket. My only other suggestions would be to wait for someone with more knowledge to come in here or try asking at Stangnet, they get a lot of questions similar to yours.

 

well, I figured out that thats not the problem, and I got it timed now.... I still can't figure out whats wrong....

 

Are you getting fire to the plugs?
Easy way to check is to pull a plug wire off of a sparkplug. Then with some insulated pliers, hold it close to the block and have someone crank the engine. You should get a fat spark from the wire to the block. If not, than there's an electrical problem somewhere.

Just curious, how do you time an engine accurately when it's not running?

 

I got the #1 piston top dead center then lined the rotor with the number 1 wire. its timed enough that it should start, then I could time it more accurately once its started....


it is gettng spark which is what baffles me so much...

 

Does it feel/sound like it wants to start, or no pop at all?
If there's no turnover at all without the starter, I'd guess valve timing.
If you've got some pop, but it won't run, I'd try rotating the distributor to fire a little before TDC.
Also, when you lined up things at TDC, were both of the valves on the #1 cylinder closed? If not, then your timing may be off by 180 degrees.

 

it sometimes feels like its trying to start, I think it may be 180 out....

I didn't have the valve cover off, I might try that today....

 

Or , maybe the cam's firing order is different than the way you placed the wires in the cap . From 1962 - 1980 , Ford ran 15426378 firing order . 1981 - present 13726548 firing order was used . If you changed the cam , sometimes the cam manufacturer gives you the new firing order on the cam specs card .

 

Now there's something I didn't know.
The old saying is right, you do learn something new every day.