Really dumb newbie question

1/4-horse · March 28th, 2007, 10:22 PM

Well,

We busted arse all weekend and got the engine in and hooked up. Tonight we finished plumbing fuel lines, filled the 'stang with vital fluids, hooked up the HEI and went to fire it off.

It cranks, but only pops a few times, then backfires really loud. I turned the distributor 180 from where it was when we first started it, but it didn't help any. We've turned down the fuel pressure so it's manageable, so IDK if it's that.

So, my question is, what is the correct firing order for this beast? It's an 85 engine with a Performer RPM cam.

I'm thinking we messed up the firing order, but the chiltons we have doesn't agree with what Kirshenbaums 5.0 reference guide says about 85 engines, and the engine in my neighbors car is a 90.

Please help, it's so close to running...

Jay

PS, it's an 87 LX with an 85 (carbed) motor- Holley 600 vac sec- HEI

1/4-horse · March 29th, 2007, 10:30 AM

Nobody knows the firing order for an 85 302? :wink

Jay

jtillery · March 29th, 2007, 11:24 AM

I just did a quick search on the board and found these listed as the firing orders for a 302 (not sure if they are accurate):

H.0. 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
non HO 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

If you have the non-HO firing order correct and it isn't running right, my guess is you bought an HO cam. I don't know if it as simple as switching to the HO firing order to use the cam, someone with more knowledge on the topic would need to answer that for you...

GTXRacing · March 29th, 2007, 03:05 PM

That wasn't a dumb question. If you didn't ask, it would have been dumb to watch your engine detonate all over the place.... So tell me, who was the smart one?

87foxbodylx · March 29th, 2007, 03:55 PM

I think if its a roller cam, its H.O. Firing output. But if its Hydraulic flat tappet its non H.O. Do you know what kind of cam it is? roller rocker or hydraulic? may help us to help you answer your question.

Also, the only dumb question, is a question not asked.

GTXRacing · March 29th, 2007, 04:10 PM

Now if you asked can a DOHC cam fit a 85 GT, yeah, that would be a little on the dumb side but we all make mistakes

1/4-horse · March 29th, 2007, 05:51 PM

Well, thanks for not making me feel stupid.

I switched to the other firing order (per the Edelbrock website) and it ran. Long enough to discover a fuel delivery problem (the in tank electric pump quit) and the fact that the trans is junk (has no second gear).

So close, yet so far.

Thanks again for all the replies, I'll keep ya updated!

Jay

foxrod · March 29th, 2007, 05:52 PM

Did the 85s have the TFI module mounted right under the dristributor. if so, those can go bad and give that symptom. Was the engine running fine in wherever it came from?

March 28th, 2007, 10:22 PM	#1
1/4-horse Regular 1987 LX vert/ 1984 LX 460 slow/stopped Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: 48188 Posts: 72 iTrader: 0 reviews	Really dumb newbie question Well, We busted arse all weekend and got the engine in and hooked up. Tonight we finished plumbing fuel lines, filled the 'stang with vital fluids, hooked up the HEI and went to fire it off. It cranks, but only pops a few times, then backfires really loud. I turned the distributor 180 from where it was when we first started it, but it didn't help any. We've turned down the fuel pressure so it's manageable, so IDK if it's that. So, my question is, what is the correct firing order for this beast? It's an 85 engine with a Performer RPM cam. I'm thinking we messed up the firing order, but the chiltons we have doesn't agree with what Kirshenbaums 5.0 reference guide says about 85 engines, and the engine in my neighbors car is a 90. Please help, it's so close to running... Jay PS, it's an 87 LX with an 85 (carbed) motor- Holley 600 vac sec- HEI __________________ I'm rapidly getting addicted to this Fox body Mustang thing.

March 29th, 2007, 10:30 AM	#2
1/4-horse Regular 1987 LX vert/ 1984 LX 460 slow/stopped Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: 48188 Posts: 72 iTrader: 0 reviews	Nobody knows the firing order for an 85 302? :wink Jay __________________ I'm rapidly getting addicted to this Fox body Mustang thing.

March 29th, 2007, 11:24 AM	#3
jtillery Regular Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Euclid, Ohio Posts: 122 iTrader: 0 reviews	I just did a quick search on the board and found these listed as the firing orders for a 302 (not sure if they are accurate): H.0. 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 non HO 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 If you have the non-HO firing order correct and it isn't running right, my guess is you bought an HO cam. I don't know if it as simple as switching to the HO firing order to use the cam, someone with more knowledge on the topic would need to answer that for you... __________________ Current Mustangs: 2004 Cobra Convertible 1993 5.0 LX Hatchback 1992 5.0 LX Convertible

March 29th, 2007, 03:05 PM	#4
GTXRacing Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Greenville, Texas Posts: 733 iTrader: 0 reviews	That wasn't a dumb question. If you didn't ask, it would have been dumb to watch your engine detonate all over the place.... So tell me, who was the smart one? __________________ THE BEAST IS FOR SALE!!! GTX RACING & PERFORMACE CLUB OF TEXAS Meets and greets, drag racing and good eats, you know you want it. GTX Racing Tony P. 214-257-3635 http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums...vehicle&CID=43

March 29th, 2007, 04:10 PM	#6
GTXRacing Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Greenville, Texas Posts: 733 iTrader: 0 reviews	Now if you asked can a DOHC cam fit a 85 GT, yeah, that would be a little on the dumb side but we all make mistakes __________________ THE BEAST IS FOR SALE!!! GTX RACING & PERFORMACE CLUB OF TEXAS Meets and greets, drag racing and good eats, you know you want it. GTX Racing Tony P. 214-257-3635 http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums...vehicle&CID=43

March 29th, 2007, 03:55 PM	#5
87foxbodylx Enthusiast 1987 Mustang LX 13.9@102.43 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ephrata PA Posts: 648 iTrader: 0 reviews	I think if its a roller cam, its H.O. Firing output. But if its Hydraulic flat tappet its non H.O. Do you know what kind of cam it is? roller rocker or hydraulic? may help us to help you answer your question. Also, the only dumb question, is a question not asked.

March 29th, 2007, 05:51 PM	#7
1/4-horse Regular 1987 LX vert/ 1984 LX 460 slow/stopped Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: 48188 Posts: 72 iTrader: 0 reviews	Well, thanks for not making me feel stupid. I switched to the other firing order (per the Edelbrock website) and it ran. Long enough to discover a fuel delivery problem (the in tank electric pump quit) and the fact that the trans is junk (has no second gear). So close, yet so far. Thanks again for all the replies, I'll keep ya updated! Jay __________________ I'm rapidly getting addicted to this Fox body Mustang thing.

March 29th, 2007, 05:52 PM	#8
foxrod Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 10 iTrader: 0 reviews	Did the 85s have the TFI module mounted right under the dristributor. if so, those can go bad and give that symptom. Was the engine running fine in wherever it came from?

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