I made the mistake of completely removing the distributor in my Maverick when I was trying to get the second bolt off of the thermostat housing (wrenches wouldn't fit - it's a tight squeeze). After replacing the thermostat, filling my radiator back up, putting the distributor back into its place and reconnecting all the distributor wires the engine won't start. I've double/triple checked all the connections and the firing order (I took a picture before I started pulling plugs) and done my best to troubleshoot the problem but after repeated attempts to start the engine (I've been having carburetor problems too) it's just clicking. It's a '72 with a 302. Distributor and wires aren't OEM but I've never had a problem with any of them. Can anyone help?
Also, I'd like to find someone to pull the engine and overhaul it. It's still got the 40+ year-old seals on it. Any ideas on where to start?
By "just clicking" I assume you mean the starter isn't turning the engine over. that's not a distributor problem. Check battery charge and battery and ground connections.
It turns over. I checked the battery connection to the distributor and even tried starting it flip-flopped )the connection to the battery and the tachometer reversed) to make sure I had them in the right place. I think I've jacked up the timing somehow, but I don't even know how to start diagnosing the problem.
I would check to make sure the distributor is in correctly. This is how I do it. To do this pull the #1 spark plug and place your finger just outside the spark plug hole in the head. Then start turning the engine over by hand with a large ratchet wrench on the balancer bolt until the timing mark on the balancer is pointing to the zero mark on the timing tab AND you feel air pressure pushing at the finger that is placed at the spark plug hole. This will have the engine at TDC. Pull the distributor cap off and see where the rotor is pointing to. It should be pointing to where the #1 spark plug wire plugs into the cap. If it's not the distributor is in wrong. Just pull out the distributor and re-insert until the rotor comes out pointing to the #1 spot. Then as long as you have the wires installed correctly it should fire right up.
When installing the distributor it has to be inserted with the engine at TDC on the compression stroke at #1 cylinder and the rotor pointing at the #1 post on the cap. You can't just stab it in and expect it to work.
OK - I'll give it a shot. How do I get to the balancer bolt? Will that involve removing the air conditioner/radiator/fan anything else like that? Thanks a bunch for the help!
You should be able to get to it without removing anything. Might have to get to it from underneath and need a second person to help you out? Keep us updated!
Just use engine starter to turn engine over, when you feel compression on #1, bump your starter to line up timing marks. May take some practice but you can get it
There's a guy just west of you(45 miles) that's a die hard Ford man and has a shop that can handle anything you want to do with it. PM me and I'll put you in contact with him.
