Gets gas and spark but wont fire???

[FordRacing302]

I recently got my car to turn over, and after that I bought a mechanical vacuum advance distributor...Once I got the distributor in I tested for spark at the spark plug and the good news is im getting spark, bad news is its a very weak yellow spark, and I heard you want the spark to be big and blue....So whats the problem??? why is my spark so weak???

 

[1SLO306]

how new are the plug wires and plugs? hope u get everything working!

 

[jackchan]

is could possibly be your coil?
not real sure wish i could help more!
Jack

 

[Ny Mustang Guy]

Does the car sound like it wants to start but doesnt?, Did you Check the TFI Module and PIP? does things are always known to go bad and mess up your car and not let it start/ run right.

 

[1SLO306]

Does the car sound like it wants to start but doesnt?, Did you Check the TFI Module and PIP? does things are always known to go bad and mess up your car and not let it start/ run right.

Thats what i was thinkin at first but then i seen that his car was carbeb

 

[FordRacing302]

The thing is the car has never run since Ive owned it, it never ran with the previous owner or the owner before that. The person who dropped the 302 never saw it run in this car, The motor came out of a '69 Torino...All of the previous owners tried to get the car running with an electronic ignition but never got any spark out of it, I messed around with it and couldnt do it either. So last night I went and bought a mechanical distributor, wired it up and found that I finally have spark, its really weak but its still spark...So I was thinkin it probably was the coil but I wanted to see what you guys thought before I went out and bought a new one

BTW, the wires are almost brand new accel wires, and the plugs look alright

 

[jackchan]

its time to get that puppy running. jot down all the info you can about what all you've done and everything you can remember a previous owner telling you about the car. WE WILL get it running!

the old saying if it gets fuel and fire it will crank.....only applies if it has compression, has the proper amount of fire......fuel you can pour in thru the carb.

I'm working nights again to morrow night and will be up at home after around 7;30 in the morning. I'll help all I can and the rest will too I'm sure!
come on guys lets help this fellow stanger get this rig on the road!
Jack

 

[FordRacing302]

Well the owner before the previous owner had a 351W in it and it ran fine, he then pulled that motor and dropped the 302 in along with a T5 tranny (but never bothered to change the 7.5 rear end ) he couldnt get it to run so he sold it to my friend for $200, my friend replaced the coil (which I blew on accident) the plug wires and the starter solenoid, after he had no luck with it he sold it to me for $300 and I was stumped on what to do, and just last night I went out and bought that new distributor, put the old coil back in (the one that the previous owner replaced) and tested for spark and it was there but very weak....And im definatly getting enough gas, actually I think im getting so much that im smothering the weak spark before it has a chance to ignite it

Heres a pic of the engine bay if anyone was interested
[image]http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/756/img25697wq.jpg[/image]

 

[FiveOfastback]

Well the owner before the previous owner had a 351W in it and it ran fine, he then pulled that motor and dropped the 302 in along with a T5 tranny (but never bothered to change the 7.5 rear end ) he couldnt get it to run so he sold it to my friend for $200, my friend replaced the coil (which I blew on accident) the plug wires and the starter solenoid, after he had no luck with it he sold it to me for $300 and I was stumped on what to do, and just last night I went out and bought that new distributor, put the old coil back in (the one that the previous owner replaced) and tested for spark and it was there but very weak....And im definatly getting enough gas, actually I think im getting so much that im smothering the weak spark before it has a chance to ignite it

Heres a pic of the engine bay if anyone was interested
[image]http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/756/img25697wq.jpg[/image]

Does this car have a brain box on the fender? IE Ignition module box? Has it been changed? If spark is weak That box wil be a possible cause.

 

[jackchan]

so your getting a spark from the coil to the center of the dist, correct?
Jack

 

[jackchan]

ok in that picture you showed us it had a duraspark II dist in it correct? if thats the case then where is the brain box for the duraspark II?

if it doesnt have one then what does the dist plug too?
Jack

 

[FordRacing302]

so your getting a spark from the coil to the center of the dist, correct?
Jack

Yes, I stuck a spark plug in the distributor side of the coil wire and I had "weak" spark and I also tested it at the spark plug with the same results

And to the other poster, The reason for buying a mechical distributor is to eliminate the ignition module and anything electroic, So no I dont have a brain box

 

[FordRacing302]

Im using the distributor adaptor, button, and cap from the electronic distributor thats why it looks like a duraspark distributor

 

[jackchan]

Yes, I stuck a spark plug in the distributor side of the coil wire and I had "weak" spark and I also tested it at the spark plug with the same results

ok....so your wires coming to your coil are in good shape, and it has a good connection correct? (you should have two wires besides the main coil wire going to your dist.)
Jack

 

[FordRacing302]

Yup all the connections are good

And about that picture, I just noticed that is an old pic with the electroic dizzy still in it

 

[jackchan]

yea thats what I was thinkin.....

 

[FordRacing302]

I have a strong feeling thats its the coil, I think im just gonna save up for a high performance coil that will give me a hotter spark

 

[jackchan]

I'd go to a junkyard, and pick up an old coil (anybrand) and check it first..get it running then buy a good one when you can. A coil is a coil! junkyards especially small town ones would prolly even give you one for free or something like $5! Then you know if thats the problem.
Jack