Ford HEI Issues.......Help

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by tonyj71mav, Oct 26, 2017.

  1. tonyj71mav

    tonyj71mav Member

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    I purchased a Scott Drake Ford HEI Distributor, I installed and have spark, fuel but cant get it to fire. Not sure what direction to go next, any suggestions. Anyone use these Distributors, help me out thanks.
     
  2. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    Fire and spark are one in same...

    If you mean engine cranks but won't start, likely dist is phased incorrectly so is "out of time"...
     
  3. tonyj71mav

    tonyj71mav Member

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    I believe my intent was to say "Fuel and Spark", the car wont fire. Sorry for the misquote. I actually have double checked my TDC and actually tried to fire 180 degrees off and still to no avail.
     
  4. mojo

    mojo "Everett"- Senior Citizen Supporting Member

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    Was it running w/ whatever U had B4 going to HEI?
     
  5. tonyj71mav

    tonyj71mav Member

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    No, I was traveling down the road, just a little Saturday cruise and the car just started kicking and popping and backfiring. I got it off the road and could not get it restarted. I finally got it to start w/o the the Distributor advanced completely forward but it would not stay running.
    Some history here, I just put a new cam and assembly in the car back in May and the car had been running perfectly until that day. I went to the HEI thinking the the old Distributor had crapped out and this would give me a little more punch and power.
     
  6. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    check the cam gear...:yup:
     
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  7. tonyj71mav

    tonyj71mav Member

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    With you saying that first I am going to pull the valve covers off and check the rockers and pushrods to ensure that they are intact, Did not think about it but maybe the Rockers came loose, just a guess all of that was apart when changing the Cam. I will basically due a process of elimination, working toward the Timing assembly. Will keep you informed.
     
  8. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    if any of that came loose there would be all kinds of noise...:smash:

    I'm thinking the cam gear is worn. were the cam gear and dist. gear compatible?
     
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  9. tonyj71mav

    tonyj71mav Member

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    When the Cam was replaced that meant a new gear on the Camshaft and the gear on my old Distributor looked good. Just gotta work my way to it again.
     
  10. Mavman72

    Mavman72 Gone backwards but lookin' forward

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    You did put a new timing chain/gears in when you did the cam swap right???
     
  11. tonyj71mav

    tonyj71mav Member

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    Yes, everything was swapped out
     
  12. Crazy Larry

    Crazy Larry Member

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    What are the cam specs? I hope the pistons didn't kiss the valves. That can cause backfiring and stalling. Hopfully it's not that and rather something simple.
     
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  13. groberts101

    groberts101 Member

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    Check rotor phasing is correctly oriented towards #1 tdc compression stroke. My guess is a sheared roll pin on the distributor gear.

    Been there done that and got in the habit of installing a smaller diameter roll pin inside the larger one that pins the gear to the shaft.
     
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  14. CaptainComet

    CaptainComet Large Member

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    If it is the Cam gear or roll pin, a quick check is to pop the distributor cap, and have someone spin the motor over. See if the rotor is rotating smoothly.
    This is not a conclusive test, but if it seems jumpy, you know you are on the right path and need to dig further.
     
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