Ford68pony

Hello everyone, well I have finally got my 68 mustang to where it runs. It was an inline 6 but is now a V-8. Much to my surprise I thought I was putting in a 302 when the firing order didn't work worth crap. So I got an idea in my head to use the 351 firing order and viola! it runs but it's still sputtering around some. Did a little research and after finding out one big difference between Windsor and Cleveland (14 mm plugs on the "C") I have found out I am the proud parent of a 351 Cleveland. Hell of a jump from a 302 eh?

Well now I have run into a small problem and I'm hoping I can get some assistance with this. As I said I am still having some minor issues with it. First off is the timing. I went to set the timing, went 6BTDC as per the manual, but could never see my mark on the pointer. Come to find out instead of being in the 2 O'clock position with the pointer, the timing mark was sitting around 11 O'clock. I was wondering a couple of things on this. One, can I put Piston #1 in it's highest position and make my mark on the pointer to figure out the timing or will I just end up blowing something up? Two, if that won't work, what will I need to do to get the timing down.

Second part is that I am getting a tap in my engine that sounds like it is coming from the number 7 or 8 piston. List of possibilities that could cause this? The engine was sitting for almost 3 years. It has no problems starting up at all. The tapping noise frequency will go up and down with the RPM of the engine.


Thanks in advance for anyones input.


Ford68Pony

Acer2428

Yes, you can get TDC on piston #1 and time it that way.

Could be valvetrain rattle.

GreyStang

Clevelands can easily be identified by looking at the valve covers. The bolts are staggered on Clevelands and in-line on Windsors.

You'd do good to get an indexing wheel if working on your timing Read this for more info on that.

Yea the tapping sound could just be a sticky or dry lifter

Ford68pony

Thanks for the info, I took a look at the timing setup Acer and it's a little greek to me, I'll have to decipher it when I have time.

fordguy17

that tapping might be an exhaust leak at that cylinder. mine was more like a clicking but it could interpretet in both ways....

92hatchLX

It could be a spun bearing so be forewarned, but if it's the valve train don't worry about it, go in asap though and get new lifters and pushrods.

Ford68pony

The tapping seems like it is coming from the top of the engine so I don't think it's a bearing. But then again I'm no mechanic.....