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Engine Help! 1980 Ford Mustang won't start, has spark

  • Thread starter Thread starter 5ziggy5
  • Start date Start date Feb 4, 2022
5

5ziggy5

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Feb 4, 2022
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Feb 4, 2022
#1
  • Feb 4, 2022
  • #1
I have acquired a 1980 Ford Mustang 2.3l with no turbo. I have changed the following: plugs, plug wires, distributer cap&rotor, ignition control module, coil, and ignition cylinder. All of that got me to where I do have spark, and I am giving it fuel myself (I haven't cleaned the gas tank yet so the line is unhooked). I have checked the timing, it is at 0, which I assume should allow it to at least fire, and the timing belt seems to be fine and turning everything. Yet, it still will not start. It won't even hit. (I haven't tested compression with a gauge, but I can feel a compression stroke hand turning the engine)
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
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#2
  • Feb 4, 2022
  • #2
Do you have power to the coil when craking?
 
5

5ziggy5

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Feb 4, 2022
#3
  • Feb 4, 2022
  • #3
General karthief said:
Do you have power to the coil when craking?
Click to expand...
Yes
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,929
10,573
203
polk county florida
Feb 4, 2022
#4
  • Feb 4, 2022
  • #4
Check compression
 

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
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Feb 4, 2022
#5
  • Feb 4, 2022
  • #5
Give it some timing advance while cranking.
 

HyYoSilver

Founding Member
Jul 11, 2000
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On a creeper, underneath the car
Feb 4, 2022
#6
  • Feb 4, 2022
  • #6
5ziggy5 said:
.........I have checked the timing, it is at 0, which I assume should allow it to at least fire, and the timing belt seems to be fine and turning everything..........
Click to expand...
Align the crank to TDC on the compression stroke, then remove the dist cap to see if the rotor is pointing to number 1 cylinder in the cap.
(I'm thinking the dist might have been installed 180* out of phase.)
 
Last edited: Feb 4, 2022
Reactions: General karthief
J

junkyardwarrior

Well-Known Member
Jan 10, 2011
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Feb 7, 2022
#7
  • Feb 7, 2022
  • #7
HyYoSilver said:
Align the crank to TDC on the compression stroke, then remove the dist cap to see if the rotor is pointing to number 1 cylinder in the cap.
(I'm thinking the dist might have been installed 180* out of phase.)
Click to expand...
or the timing belt slipped. The belt runs the cam and the aux shaft, and the aux shaft runs the distributor/oil pump.
 
Reactions: HyYoSilver and General karthief

ChillPhatCat

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Feb 28, 2022
#8
  • Feb 28, 2022
  • #8
How are you giving it fuel? Just curious if you have the right fuel pressure from your source. (Or are you doing it old school pouring gas into the carb?) With spark confirmed the first thing I’d do is give it about a 3 second blast of starter fluid. Right down the throat… open the cab blades and spray it right in.
 
L

Lee Clark

New Member
Feb 20, 2022
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0
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Ocilla Georgia
Mar 1, 2022
#9
  • Mar 1, 2022
  • #9
5ziggy5 said:
I have acquired a 1980 Ford Mustang 2.3l with no turbo. I have changed the following: plugs, plug wires, distributer cap&rotor, ignition control module, coil, and ignition cylinder. All of that got me to where I do have spark, and I am giving it fuel myself (I haven't cleaned the gas tank yet so the line is unhooked). I have checked the timing, it is at 0, which I assume should allow it to at least fire, and the timing belt seems to be fine and turning everything. Yet, it still will not start. It won't even hit. (I haven't tested compression with a gauge, but I can feel a compression stroke hand turning the engine)
Click to expand...
Remove harmonic balancer and belts and remove timing belt cover see if camshaft and valve shaft marks are in right position when you check timing. Like the guys stated it might be 180 out.
 
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