Stumped...

[Alvy]

Coop that’s a continental 4 correct? It’s 1,3,4,2 clockwise rotation as viewing the top of the distributor and #1 is water pump end. You said electronic so no condenser? I’ve had the condenser and dirty points make that symptom but if you’re purely electronic then no. I’m thinking maybe with all that new paint you’re not getting a good ground through the distributor? Just a couple things thinking about this. Head should be stamped with firing order as well. Curious George has the right method with the thumb test for compression stroke but the continental as you see is just a slot that the distributor falls into so it’s only 50/50 to get it wrong. If you think it’s fuel try running it on some brake clean for a minute. If I remember it’s an old IMPCO system pretty simple for fuel delivery.

[darkminion_17]

The Master of Alvy has given good advice. I would have thought the same about the paint.

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by Alvy

Coop that’s a continental 4 correct? It’s 1,3,4,2 clockwise rotation as viewing the top of the distributor and #1 is water pump end. You said electronic so no condenser? I’ve had the condenser and dirty points make that symptom but if you’re purely electronic then no. I’m thinking maybe with all that new paint you’re not getting a good ground through the distributor? Just a couple things thinking about this. Head should be stamped with firing order as well. Curious George has the right method with the thumb test for compression stroke but the continental as you see is just a slot that the distributor falls into so it’s only 50/50 to get it wrong. If you think it’s fuel try running it on some brake clean for a minute. If I remember it’s an old IMPCO system pretty simple for fuel delivery.

I thought it was CC rotation also but the rotor spins CCW

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by darkminion_17

The Master of Alvy has given good advice. I would have thought the same about the paint.

Got good spark to a plugs. Getting good fuel as well. I double checked thst by opening a propane torch and letting it blow into the intake.. no change. We used a gringer to get to bare steel on all grounding points.

[cooperino]

As i described in first post.. i have good spark. My trouble is finding TDC. no timing marks. Valve in plug hole. Im sure im getting close but its still not right

[CADplans]

Originally Posted by cooperino

As i described in first post.. i have good spark. My trouble is finding TDC. no timing marks. Valve in plug hole. Im sure im getting close but its still not right

Could the plug wires be out of sequence in the distributor cap?
i.e.,, rotate the wires one hole, left,,, or right,,,

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by CADplans

If the electronic aftermarket ignition is like some,,
the points are still used,, and they need cleaning,,,

Its a PerTronix system that replaces the points completely.

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by CADplans

Could the plug wires be out of sequence in the distributor cap?
i.e.,, rotate the wires one hole, left,,, or right,,,

The cap is marked with a number 1 for #1 cylinder. The cap only orientates one way. Even tho this is true.. I did try what your describing. This is so frustrating lol. Been quite some time since a timing issue baffled me. Tried it forwards and backwards 8 ways to Sunday...

[Billy-O]

Oil pressure switch? High temp switch? Does the Clark have them? Just throwing ideas at you.

[cooperino]

Originally Posted by Billy-O

Oil pressure switch? High temp switch? Does the Clark have them? Just throwing ideas at you.

We replaced all gauges during build. Eliminated low oil shut down that it did have. We went really bare bones with the new wire harness and its all new.

Thank you for the ideas. At this point Im all ears for any suggestions.

The only thing I have yet to really inspect or doubt until just now thinking about it...
Distributor cap. I did use a new one. But it would not be the first time I got a new one with a crack in it. I will be looking at that in the morning.