Hello- First post here, but I’ve been reading and learning for the last 6mo or so. I’m hoping I can get some assistance and some help problem solving.

I am having some difficulty starting my 272 after beingdown for some upgrades. I know itsdifficult to diagnose through a keyboard and more-so without all the info, soI’ll try my best to explain and list everything.

1958 F-100 V8-272(basically all original and all stock)

3-spd column shift - all original (points) ignition - Should be thestock 2bbl carb, etc

I drove it around a bit after acquiring it and seeing itsuffered from the ‘drunken monkey’ syndrome, I put it up in the garage for somenecessary upgrades. (New tires, brakes, suspension,…)

While I was at it I changed the coil, points, condenser,plugs and wires, fluids, battery…all the standard tune-up stuff.

By the time came to start her back up, it has beensitting for approx 2-1/2 months. It would not start.

-It kept turning over strong and would pop/fire out ofthe carb occasionally, then end with an “eerrrrrrrrr” sound. Tried thisover and over again but would never catch to start.

-After double checking the wire sequence, etc I wonderedit I had mal-adjusted the points. So ina quick fit I threw in a pertronix we had laying around the shop (new andcorrect model#). It just did the samething…over and over.

-Thought then that it might be the timing, so I loosenedthe distributor and twisted it left, right in various increments …it either didthe same or worse. THEN, while still attempting it …I saw the battery arc fromthe terminal to the firewall and all went dead. Dead as a doornail.

This is where I stand now. Regarding the scary ending I’m guessing Ididn’t have a good ground somehow (perhaps from loosening the distributor??)

I am quite certain that would have fried the Pertronixmodule and probably why it is super dead right now. I have purchased a new Pertronix and new coiland will attempt this again this week.

Number one, I don’t want to fry another Pertronix….number two, theengine still wasn’t starting….and number three, what about my ground(why thearc)?

Can anyone give me advice to where to go from here?

Many thanks-

1958 - F100 272 w/3-spd column

!! on thing - Before "the Arc" and everything being dead...I pulled a plug to see what the spark looked like. It was very weak.We also tried starting fluid at one point. *pop* *flame*

1958 - F100 272 w/3-spd column

Check and make sure all the grounds are good.Engine to body/frame and battery cable to engine.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

Thanks PWH42, Charlie and Rig-

Tonight I will run down all wiring associated with the ig sys...ensure all grounds are solid.

Rig, I initially thought the same thing about the firing order. I checked it twice, have it written underside of the hood but will do so again.

I guess I will end up placing the points (new) and old coil back in....like Charlie said, it worked before.

I think while my intentions were good with new points and everything, It ended up being my downfall right now because there are too many variables that have changed. I'll go back to eliminate some of that with the old parts and start from there.
Update tomorrow hopefully-

Thanks!

1958 - F100 272 w/3-spd column

Ok, update.
Verified grounds, replaced one wire that may have or would cause an issue.

Put the old points, cond and rotor in... Gapped 'Em. Rotated dist to a good guess of where it was.

Checked the firing order. Correct on plugs and cap, rotated CW from standing in front.

Attempted starting again, got puffs and flame out of carb again. Looked like moby dick spitting up fuel. No start and don't think it was close.
Read the spark from another plug with alligator clip ground, and it was orange. Not strong but looked like it might be enough?

Kit, thanks for the input. Is there a way for me to verify TDC while everything is buttoned up?

1958 - F100 272 w/3-spd column

Heck! Yes! Gotter running, you guys are great!

The one thing I didn't place back was the old dist cap.
While trying to find TDC like Kit said and re reading Rig saying something similar... My old cap I had written the numbers on. I'm thinking I had it the wrong direction with the new cap. It now goes clockwise (I think!? All confused now)
Either way thank all of you so much. I'll post some pics in the morning and keep updating with the upgrades. Can sleep sound tonight!
Night!


1958 - F100 272 w/3-spd column

Unless you,ve got a typo? you say rotation is CW? Distributor rotation as mentioned is CCW or anti clockwise. Does sound like fireing order is out? Recheck and have someone spin engine over while you slowly rotate distributor to where the engine is happy. good luck.

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia