Hi all, I’ve got a 1971 Maverick Grabber with 302. Recently had to replace engine due to failed oil pump. Bought 5.0 from a 94 mustang GT. Swapped out front of engine so that I could continue running Carb. Running HEI distributor also. When cranking, the engine spits gas up through carb! I’ve tried removing distributor, rotating 180 then restabbing. With same results. What could I have done wrong!?! Thanks!
sounds like you need to reset that early 302 firing order distributor to later year 5.0 HO/351 firing order. Change from 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 ... over to 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Yep HO engines have a different firing order, swap wires 5&4 with 3&7. I hope you are using a flexplate/flywheel to match the late engine, if you've bolted up one from the original engine you're going to have a large paint shaker. Same applies for front balancer.
BAM! Fired right up! Thanks a million! I used the 94 balancer with a 50 oz 157 tooth flex plate. Another question I have is about the cylinder heads. I have a pair 69 302 heads on top of the 5.0 I used the springs and the pushrods from the 5.0 Adjusted the valves according to the procedure for FULLY ADJUSTABLE HYDRAULIC lifters in Tom Monroe’s book. Is this correct? Or is there another procedure I need to follow??? Thanks
Early small block Ford heads were originally equipped with pressed in studs with positive stops for the rockers. There was no adjustment needed, just tighten down the rockers and go. If the studs have been replaced with screw in studs then yes they must be adjusted. After the initial adjustment, I readjust them with the engine running. I use an old stamped valve cover with the top cut out for that.
