When you hook up spark plugs, do you put number 1 in line with cylinder #1? That is, if the rotor is pointing at cyl 1, does the spark plug boot need to be in line with the rotor and cylinder 1?
Yes. Rotor points to #1 terminal on cap and turns clockwise to each consecutive terminal based on your camshafts specific firing order. Ideally ithe rotor will actually be slightly before when you account for ignition advance.
So if I have a terminal marked #1 on the cap, ignore it and put the #1 wire in line or set timing where the rotor points to 1 on cap and set order from there? I'm trying to figure out why my car won't fire up. I built an 85 302 but it has yet to fire (it turns over well though)
Whoops.. yeah spins counter.. turn housing clockwise to advance initial timing. Set the rotor to make any terminal you choose to be used as #1. The thing you have to be careful about is making sure that cylinder #1 is at TDC of compression stroke when clocking the distributor to make any of the terminals #1 in the firing order. I'll try to make it to the computer to link you to a good tutorial. Can't type and search fast enough on this stupid smart phone. Lol
Well my rotor points at cyl 1 at TDC, so I chose the terminal that is the best fit in line with it and the rotor I have other problems I am solving (flexplate issues, chewed up inside of a starter) but I'm glad I have this for reference Thanks guys!
Just be sure it's at the top of the compression stroke or you will end up 180° out of time. You can easily tell by placing your finger over the open spark plug hole or just back out the plug till it's only being held in by 1-1/2 threads to better hear it hiss as pressure squeezes by it on the compression stroke. Bump the motor slowly till you feel/hear it and then turn it the rest of the way to true TDC by hand. Also be sure you have the correct firing order for that specific cam/motor. 351W and HO would be 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.. non-HO and earlier 302 and smaller CID would be 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. If you are 180° out AND running the wrong firing order for that particular cam it may not even fire on any of the cylinders at all.. or at the very least you'll be popping fire up through the manifold and out the headers. Probably more than you want to know right now when dealing with the other issues but it's a very comprehensive article that covers most all the bases. Good luck with it all. https://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/03/timing/ Re-edited due to drinking faster than I can think and text. Lol
