304 problem

R

Rsmothers

New member
I have a 76 Scout II with a 304 engine 4 speed man trans. After power washing the under carriage and the engine, the engine will not start. It will turn over but it will not start. I have dried out the distributor, and even let it sit in the hot and dry summer air for 2 weeks--it's dry! I have also changed the gold box, plugs, coil, condenser, cleaned plug wires, cleaned the bulk head connector on fire wall, checked the gap on the pick up, took apart and cleaned carburetor, and cleaned the rectifier and inside distributor. I'm getting spark from all plugs and the gas is flowing good. The only thing I know to do next is to change
electric ignition pick up ( white sensor in distributor). I have a holly distributor and was thinking about going with a pertronix ignitor ho-181. It sounds good cranking just won't start up.
Please help! About to pull my hair out!
 
Have you tried to dribble gas in the carb ? Try either ? Have you pulled the plugs to see if they;re gas soaked ? If they are,replace them w/new 1's,it shud start then. Jeff
 
Yes, I have dribbled gas in carb, and did almost start. Tried this several times, and would not kick over. Used brand new plugs, and did not see any gas on the old plugs. Thank you for the reply.
 
3rd prolly be better,will spin over faster. If it don't fire then, you'll have to dig deeper. If you reset the airgap on the pickup module,did you use a brass feeler gauge ? Thats what your supposed to use,not a steel 1.
 
Have you verified the timing is set using the #8 cyl? Rear on passenger side? Distributor rotor turns clockwise. Fireing order is cast on the intake manifold near the thermostat housing and the intake manifold runners have the cyl# cast onto each just above where the intake manifold bolts to the heads.
 
Not yet. Will tomorrow. Thought it was #1, but you are correct it's 8. Didn't mess with the timing, but that might b it.
Thank y'all so much!
 
Last edited:
Jeff campbell said:
hey bill ! Do you know why they recommend using a brass feeler gauge for setting the air gap ? Thx- Jeff
Click to expand...

I still use the points style ignition, but I believe the callout for a brass feeler gauge has something to do with not being 'magnetic'. Best ask someone using the electronic system.
 
rsmothers said:
does anyone know how to test a ignition module pickup?
Click to expand...

Gold box data attached in pdf format.

In my experience, using a steel feeler gauge is ok as long as ignition power is not "On" or "Run" position at the time.
Air gap is .008"
firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.
Timing light: attach to #8 spark plug wire on ihc sv-8 engines.
Distributor rotates clockwise.
 

Attachments

  • Gold Box Ignition.pdf
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