Paul Thompson 'Hooligan'
Admin
Looking for a bit of help here chaps + ladies...
I'm currently trying to help a friend overseas in France sort an issue with their 40.
Scenario is: They have a 302 Ford that has just had a refresh, with a rebore, pistons, rings, re-balance, shells, full gaskets etc. The cam has remained the same, a Performer RPM item, 7122 I think they said so fairly mild really with hydraulic lifters and I think, Performer RPM heads. During the refresh, it also had a new distributor fitted, a Mallory MAGNETIC Electronic Distributor (pn, 4255111?) and a new timing gear/chain set, not sure of the type but I have been told it had a multi-slot gear to allow for timing adjustments.
OK, first problem was a timing issue for sure, the distributor had not been statically timed correctly and the motor was reluctant to start and when it did, it ran sluggish with ALL headers getting very hot, no.8 especially so and would also not rev over about 2000, after which it would just cut out.
I talked the owner through how to set it up again inc phasing the distributor as my feeling was that it was firing incredibly retarded and also possibly jumping node on the ill fitted distributor.
After this, the motor would start and idle albeit a little lumpy and it was reported that the timing (strobed) was now about 10-12 degrees at idle and about 32-33 max at 3000 rpm onwards. (Vacuum advance unit disconnected/locked) The owner also reported that Cyl 5 seemed to be cold.
Next, compression was checked and reported to be about '11KG' hmmm - which I have taken to be 11KG per square cm so about 160psi - yes? Unfortunately they did not do all the cyls (as requested) just no.5 so I await the test result of the others for comparison. My thought at this point was a faulty plug or lead as they reported the plug to be unfired and wet. So clearly fuel was getting there. (forgot to mention, it has a simple Edelbrock manifold topped with a Holley 4-B carb). As they had reported only no.5, I also suggested checking the carb was not leaking continually into the manifold due to poor/failed float setup. This they also checked and confirmed as NO dripping or overflow into manifold.
So, I still consider a fouled plug and get them to swap with another cyl, which they try to no avail. In fact they have tried several new plugs too but each leaves a cold header.
Finally, I now hear, after connecting to some sort of electronic measuring equipment that it is actually only running on 4 cylinders. :shocked: They report that it fires up ok and idles happily at about 800rpm but disconnecting spark from cyls, 2,3 5 or 8 have no effect on rpm, in fact disconnecting ALL 4 together has no effect BUT disconnecting any of 1, 4, 6 or 7 immediately drops rpm by about 20-25%.
Firing order I have taken to be 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 from memory and this seems to confirm with the Edelbrock Cam data sheet I located on the internet. Also, they inform me that the inlet valve on 1 is starting to open just before TDC and the Exhaust has just closed ATDC, so that seems to be pretty close to the data sheet too.
SO - considering I am some distance from the owner and doing this by phone, having not seen or heard the motor, I am beginning to run out of ideas....
I speak no French (well not of any use..) although their English is pretty good, despite them preferring measurements in metric as opposed to imperial... LOL
I am informed that they have tried new sets of Champion plugs, RC14YC (NGK BCPR5EFS equiv?) and also Bosch FR7DC (NGK BCPR 6ES equiv?) to no avail, still same problem.
NO MSD, simple coil, no points....
I am still of the opinion that it must be fouling plugs for some reason but why every other one? surely not coincidence...
ANY thoughts from our learned membership would be most welcome right now - Thanks
I'm currently trying to help a friend overseas in France sort an issue with their 40.
Scenario is: They have a 302 Ford that has just had a refresh, with a rebore, pistons, rings, re-balance, shells, full gaskets etc. The cam has remained the same, a Performer RPM item, 7122 I think they said so fairly mild really with hydraulic lifters and I think, Performer RPM heads. During the refresh, it also had a new distributor fitted, a Mallory MAGNETIC Electronic Distributor (pn, 4255111?) and a new timing gear/chain set, not sure of the type but I have been told it had a multi-slot gear to allow for timing adjustments.
OK, first problem was a timing issue for sure, the distributor had not been statically timed correctly and the motor was reluctant to start and when it did, it ran sluggish with ALL headers getting very hot, no.8 especially so and would also not rev over about 2000, after which it would just cut out.
I talked the owner through how to set it up again inc phasing the distributor as my feeling was that it was firing incredibly retarded and also possibly jumping node on the ill fitted distributor.
After this, the motor would start and idle albeit a little lumpy and it was reported that the timing (strobed) was now about 10-12 degrees at idle and about 32-33 max at 3000 rpm onwards. (Vacuum advance unit disconnected/locked) The owner also reported that Cyl 5 seemed to be cold.
Next, compression was checked and reported to be about '11KG' hmmm - which I have taken to be 11KG per square cm so about 160psi - yes? Unfortunately they did not do all the cyls (as requested) just no.5 so I await the test result of the others for comparison. My thought at this point was a faulty plug or lead as they reported the plug to be unfired and wet. So clearly fuel was getting there. (forgot to mention, it has a simple Edelbrock manifold topped with a Holley 4-B carb). As they had reported only no.5, I also suggested checking the carb was not leaking continually into the manifold due to poor/failed float setup. This they also checked and confirmed as NO dripping or overflow into manifold.
So, I still consider a fouled plug and get them to swap with another cyl, which they try to no avail. In fact they have tried several new plugs too but each leaves a cold header.
Finally, I now hear, after connecting to some sort of electronic measuring equipment that it is actually only running on 4 cylinders. :shocked: They report that it fires up ok and idles happily at about 800rpm but disconnecting spark from cyls, 2,3 5 or 8 have no effect on rpm, in fact disconnecting ALL 4 together has no effect BUT disconnecting any of 1, 4, 6 or 7 immediately drops rpm by about 20-25%.
Firing order I have taken to be 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 from memory and this seems to confirm with the Edelbrock Cam data sheet I located on the internet. Also, they inform me that the inlet valve on 1 is starting to open just before TDC and the Exhaust has just closed ATDC, so that seems to be pretty close to the data sheet too.
SO - considering I am some distance from the owner and doing this by phone, having not seen or heard the motor, I am beginning to run out of ideas....
I speak no French (well not of any use..) although their English is pretty good, despite them preferring measurements in metric as opposed to imperial... LOL
I am informed that they have tried new sets of Champion plugs, RC14YC (NGK BCPR5EFS equiv?) and also Bosch FR7DC (NGK BCPR 6ES equiv?) to no avail, still same problem.
NO MSD, simple coil, no points....
I am still of the opinion that it must be fouling plugs for some reason but why every other one? surely not coincidence...
ANY thoughts from our learned membership would be most welcome right now - Thanks