No start

Thank you for responding! I did make sure the firing order was correct for the 351. It's what your picture shows for it, not the other ford v8s. So that's good.

The new carb is on. Still with factory settings because I haven't been able to start the engine to see if adjustments are necessary. But I know a factory built Holley is usually good enough right from go with no or very minor adjustment so I don't believe it's causing the no start now.

When I put the dist back in it would not go in the way it came out so I set top dead center and fortunately the new electronic ignition allowed me to put the rotor on any way I want so I set it at the #1 despite the dist shaft being 45 degrees off of where it had been originally. I assumed this was fine based on other posts I read.

I only have one timing mark. A line with no numbers. I set it to match up with the triangular metal flange. Is that top dead center? Or should I ensure the line is actually facing directly up on the highest point. It would be maybe 10 or 20 degrees off of the metal flange.

Thanks HMAC300. I double checked top dead center. It's good. The new electronic ignition has no notch on the rotor. So I was able to put it on facing #1 regardless of where the dist shaft notch was facing. I assume as long as the rotar faces the right cylinder it doesn't matter where the notch is. Still no start.

Thanks again HMAC300. Turned out the electronic ignition rotor button was rubbing top of dist cap. Caused it to stick and of course timing can't be right with that.

So now the new problem, or maybe the same old one. I was so frustrated I bought a new OE distributor. Back to points and condenser. Took forever to install in a way I could set the timing right because it wanted to go in any way the vacuum assembly wouldn't allow any adjustment. Got it only one notch off where the origonal was and once in I set top dead center again on harmonic balancer and then went 6 degrees before TDC. My chiltons manual shows the timing should be "6B". I assume this is 6 degrees before TDC. Then I turned the dist so the rotor button faced #1. Again I verified I was on the compression stroke so I wouldn't be 180 degrees out. I understand compression stroke to be piston at top of cylinder. Am I completely wrong?

I rechecked for spark on each cylinder. Every wire has good spark. I added about a tea spoon of oil to each cylinder before I reinstalled plugs to ensure good compression and avoid rings scraping walls due to washing them previously with fuel. I did an oil change as well because there was fuel in the oil. I allowed the car to sit for several hours for oil in cylinders to reduce. I cycled the engin 8 times with coil disconnected to re lubricator cylinders.

Now with good spark verified and timing double checked I re verified firing order. It's correct for the 351. I also replaced the starter cable as it was old and starting to decay.

Then I attempted to start without touching the accelerator pedal. Nothing. I gave the pedal one quick push. This resulted in a backfire at the carb that seemed mostly to be fuel blowing out. I began retarding timing by turning the dist counterclockwise because that backfire at carb can be a symptom of advanced timing. Tried again same result. Tried twice more same result. Then I advanced the timing by turning the dist clockwise past the origonal setting. Tried again. Exact same result.

So now I have pushed on the gas pedal five times in six or seven attempts to start always with exactly the same result. Backfire at carb that consisted of some smoke and what looked mostly like atomized fuel puffing straight up. Sounded like an old steam engin chugging.

I then pulled the #1 plug and its fuel washed. I dipped the screwdriver in the cylinder and touched the piston with it. It came back with about a 50/50 mix of fuel and oil. Is it that easy to cometely flood an engine like this? What am I missing? I feel screwed. Probably have to change the oil every day while I troubleshoot this if a few start attempts can ruin it.

HMAC300. Thanks again. I had to focus on other things for quite a while. I fixed the problem and it's running great. I misunderstood TDC compression stroke. Dumb mistake that taught me a lot about everything else. It was worth it. Lol.