Desperate for some help trouble shooting engine problems, won’t run 302

[ba123]

There will be no slack that you feel in a breaker bar. There is no disconnect between the bolt on the front of the crank and the crankshaft. You need to see if there’s slack between the crankshaft and camshaft. You can do this by pulling a valve cover and get a valve open part way. Then rotate the crank in both directions and see how far you move the crank before the valve starts to move again. You could try pulling the fuel pump and looking through the opening as well. The other issue that hasn’t been mentioned yet is the possibility the balancer has slipped and giving you a false timing reading but I think if you are 100% sure the piston is at TDC and the mark lines up I doubt that’s the case.

Much better said.

 

[m_m70]

I've checked by pulling the distributor cap and seeing when the rotor moves. Really simple.
Here's an older thread with some info.
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/t...by-using-timing-marks-and-distributor.269619/

 

[ba123]

Uhh, and that was how long ago?

Yes, at the minimum do the timing chain, but if it were me, I'd take the whole thing out and do a rebuild. Much easier out and not a ton of work to do the whole engine or buy something done already if you can't. You could try a wrecker or something. I see you're in the bay area...lots of wreckers in sac. I bought my mustang engine there years ago. I'm happy to look around a little if it helps.

 

[m_m70]

Uhh, and that was how long ago?

Yes, at the minimum do the timing chain, but if it were me, I'd take the whole thing out and do a rebuild. Much easier out and not a ton of work to do the whole engine or buy something done already if you can't. You could try a wrecker or something. I see you're in the bay area...lots of wreckers in sac. I bought my mustang engine there years ago. I'm happy to look around a little if it helps.

I was just suggesting to the OP a way he can check the slop in his timing chain by just pulling the cap instead of a valve cover.

Appreciate the offer to look for a motor in the yards but I have no issues with my current setup.

 

[ba123]

I was just suggesting to the OP a way he can check the slop in his timing chain by just pulling the cap instead of a valve cover.

Appreciate the offer to look for a motor in the yards but I have no issues with my current setup.

Aww man, I thought this was the op posting that and I’m like what the heck?

Sorry! I have way too many irons in the fire. I should take a break. That is great info with the dizzy.