Timing problems, 302 Ford

[JasonB]

I Have my Merc 888 w/302 Ford. We rebuilt it last year and changed it to 302 firing order. I started it up a week or two ago and it ran perfectly. I then pulled the points and installed a Pertronoix Ignitor II and coil. It appeared to really throw the timing out. I played with the timing and couldn't get the engine to start. I tried reverting to points with the same issue. The engine will try to start, but will never catch and run. Anyone have any ideas on what I may have missed? What should I do about the Ballast wire? Anyone else tried to install this kit in an engine with a Prestolite distributor?

 

[tmclendon]

Re: Timing problems, 302 Ford

I had the same problem with a car about 20 years ago. The coil gets power from 2 sources, 12v from the starter while it is engaged (to give an extra "hot" spark for starting), and then around 8v from the ign switch when the starter is done. On some engines the 8v is accomplished by using a resistor wire, on some they use a ballast resistor. In any case sure sounds like you have disconnected the lower voltage lead and the engine quits getting spark as soon as the starter stops spinning. If you have to test, you can 'hot wire' it with a 12v source to the (+) side of the coil for a few minutes with no ill effects. Just make sure you can pull that wire loose to stop the motor.<br /><br />Good luck...<br /><br />Tom