U/SA 302 ffffford build

goinbroke2 · 05-23-2025, 12:09 AM

Another step ahead, 6 back....

Ignition - turns out, my adjustable timing light is bad. Timing all messed up, engine wouldn't run right. After confirming the timing marks on the engine, I had to ignore the light and time by ear. Running great but I'll get a light and do it right. (need a light, bad)

Carb - had a vac leak, got a new carb gasket and seems to have fixed it. (Yay, good)

Temp gauge - had it running and noticed the brand new heat gauge I put in last year...isn't working! Used the heat gun on the hoses etc to confirm temp, gauge stays at zero. Canadian tire(china) temp gauge. Still have to fix that. (need gauge, bad)

Transmission - holy crap...Fired it up, go through the gears, nothing, left it in 1st and blipped the throttle, tire starts tuning backward, then stops and then starts rolling forward. Run through the gears and it rolls a bit then stops. As in, nothing. Yes the flex plate and converter are spinning. Yes the converter went in 3 clicks and had to be pulled out 1/8" to bolt to the flex plate. Yes there is lots of oil in it (maybe a litre or two high)
Next I'll pull a line off and see if there is oil pressure going to the cooler. If there is pressure, I'm going to have to pull the valvebody off again (7th-8th time??) and put in a completely stock one to test/confirm it. Hate to have to pull the tranny out again.

This car absolutely fights every step of the way. Finally got the timing and carb right, went to start to confirm and the new battery was dead!! Can't make this up!

Anyway, I'll fight that fight tomorrow I guess.

05-23-2025, 12:09 AM	#17
goinbroke2 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NS CANADA Posts: 887 Likes: 1,589 Liked 385 Times in 150 Posts	Re: U/SA 302 ffffford build Another step ahead, 6 back.... Ignition - turns out, my adjustable timing light is bad. Timing all messed up, engine wouldn't run right. After confirming the timing marks on the engine, I had to ignore the light and time by ear. Running great but I'll get a light and do it right. (need a light, bad) Carb - had a vac leak, got a new carb gasket and seems to have fixed it. (Yay, good) Temp gauge - had it running and noticed the brand new heat gauge I put in last year...isn't working! Used the heat gun on the hoses etc to confirm temp, gauge stays at zero. Canadian tire(china) temp gauge. Still have to fix that. (need gauge, bad) Transmission - holy crap...Fired it up, go through the gears, nothing, left it in 1st and blipped the throttle, tire starts tuning backward, then stops and then starts rolling forward. Run through the gears and it rolls a bit then stops. As in, nothing. Yes the flex plate and converter are spinning. Yes the converter went in 3 clicks and had to be pulled out 1/8" to bolt to the flex plate. Yes there is lots of oil in it (maybe a litre or two high) Next I'll pull a line off and see if there is oil pressure going to the cooler. If there is pressure, I'm going to have to pull the valvebody off again (7th-8th time??) and put in a completely stock one to test/confirm it. Hate to have to pull the tranny out again. This car absolutely fights every step of the way. Finally got the timing and carb right, went to start to confirm and the new battery was dead!! Can't make this up! Anyway, I'll fight that fight tomorrow I guess. __________________ Jim Miller 103 U/SA Last edited by goinbroke2; 05-23-2025 at 12:12 AM.