78 Bronco Won't start

[Broncotex]

I have a 1978 Ford Bronco, 351M. Before I did the following work, it was running, but running rough. Never had any problems with hard to start or not starting, but it ran rough, rich, and it would diesel sometimes upon turning off.

Recently I replaced the stock intake manifold and carb with a Weiland intake and Summit 4 BBL carburetor kit. I did not remove the distributor originally but i did move the coil out of the way.

Once I got the carb and intake installed, I put everything back and tried to start it, it would crank but not fire(start). After several tries, I decided to check fuel supply, fuel pump is sending fuel. Then I checked the coil and distributor and found that the coil was sending a spark but not consistently. So, then decided to dot he following;

I replaced coil, distributor, cap, rotor, Ignition Module.

It still won't start. It cranks but won't fire.

Any suggestions? Could it be a ground issue? I put the original engine ground wire back. I have bought new plug wires and are cutting them to length to fit on also.

Thanks

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi Tex.., welcome..!

"I replaced coil, distributor, cap, rotor, Ignition Module."

I would ask.., did you get a "consistent" spark after this work...?

If so.., did you stab the dizzy correctly.., i.e. #1 cyl. on compression stroke..?

Before I did the following (above) work, it was running, but running rough. Never had any problems with hard to start or not starting, but it ran rough, rich, and it would diesel sometimes upon turning off.

Do you have any idea of the condition of the timing chain..?

 

[Broncotex]

I don't know the shape of the timing chain, but it was running before I changed the intake and carb. The timing shouldn't be off because I marked the distributor, cap and rotor when i took it out, but it wouldn't start even before I replaced those parts. I also drove the truck for 10 min before it just died. So the timing and distributor were setup enough to allow it to immediately start easy and then run very well before just dieting. When it died, there was not sputter just died, almost like it lost electrical ignition signal. I need to check and see if i am getting consistent spark to the coil again. I was by myself last night so i couldn't. I assume stabbing the dizzy is replacing the distributor back in the correct position or insuring the #1 plug wire is starting on the right post of the cap? I did mark these and replaced exactly as before with no problems.

 

[Broncotex]

I thought I would post that I got the truck running! Here's what it was.

I changed the ignition module, distributor, cap, rotor, coil, plug wires, and checked all connections, grounds,etc...

I then found one small exposed wire coming out of the let hand side of the front of the block, appears to be the coolant temp sensor wire. It appears it was grounding out on the block on a thread bare area. When i wrapped it in electrical tape, it ran like a top!

Thanks guys,

BT

 

[Rons beast]

Hey Btex,

Thanks for letting us all know. The info can come in handy for someone in the future.