Ok so here's what I've got for my first full car project, a 1972 8 cylinder 302 cu inch convertible Mustang. the car has 56,000 miles on it and has sat outside deteriorating for the last 10 yrs. the top is ruined the engine doesnt start and all 4 tires were flat when i started. since i started i have done some rewiring so the electrical systems almost all work. I have put a new battery in the car, new solenoid, and a new ignition coil, i inflated the tires and pushed the car out of the ruts it created, spark plugs and new cables are arriving tomorrow , the only problem im running into is the engine not starting, i freed the crankshaft with a breaker bar, and once i replaced the solenoid the starter started cranking the engine over but it wouldnt fire. I traced the problem to the ignition coil but after replacing it the starter no longer cranks the engine, it just makes a grinding sound any suggestions? im hoping i just drained the battery too much and there isnt enough power in it to start the engine, ive got it on a charger right now. thanks pictures to come soon

 

I feel for you brother. Yeah the battery isprobably low. Make damn sure the points are clean and adjusted to 0.017 , and if not use some sandpaper to clean them up and a feeler gauge to adjust them. If you have a multi-meter check the voltage at battery and coil. Get back to what that voltage is.

 

What have you done to get the fuel system ready?

 

I havent touched the fuel system yet, i put starter fluid in the carb and assumed i would hear it burn that off then cut out if the fuel systme was clogged, dead fuel pump etc, im hoping its nothing with the distributor, everything in there looked brand spanking new, a good change for everything else being covered in rust or grit when i first started.

 

What James is inferring , is that the fuel in your tank and system is old and probably not fuel that will fire in the cylinders.
Drain the tank and the lines and put in some fresh expensive fuel in the tank.

 

Already took care of that

 

i work on old tractors a lotso locked up engines are nothing new to me, but if you had to break the engine loose then more than likely some of the valves were stuck and if you have turned it over a bunch then more than likely you now have some beant pushrods, you might out to pop of the valve covers and check out whats going on in there

 

my condenser in the points system went dead and it wouldnt start! point and condensers are cheap! put them in and give it a rip! might work!

 

Shr - my mustang is the same color of the one you have in your signature, probably the ugliest green ive seen on a car, once i get the engine work done im gonna do the autobody and paint it a Hunter green so i can keep the dash and center console original, but the carpeting is another story the back window on the convertible top came out and every time it rained water got in, so im gonna have to reupholster the entire car more than likely.

 

I have had the plate in the bottom of the dist. wear out on me on a 302 and 351c. The cars ran fine on my way home and would not start for me later(no spark). If I would move the plate around it would fire off. Just a thought.............