888 302 mercuriser 1973 will not start

[yellowbk]

new plugs, points condenser, rotor, distributor was removed, timing was set, has spark, tested with spark test. boat mechanic said that the engine has plastic timing gear which may be the problem?

 

[alldodge]

When it cranks are you getting anything like backfire?

 

[Bondo]

new plugs, points condenser, rotor, distributor was removed, timing was set, has spark, tested with spark test. boat mechanic said that the engine has plastic timing gear which may be the problem?

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... If the rotor in the distributor turns, the cam gears are turning as well,....

 

[Bt Doctur]

distributor was removed, timing was set,

You set/check the timing with the dist installed first and #1 at TDC compression. What firing order did you use?

 

[yellowbk]

No backfire, firing order used 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, rotor turns, spark test positive for all 8 plug wires, no water in oil, timing set a 10 degrees Before top dead center, on compression stroke,
Not 100% sure if distributor rotor is correctly pointed to number one cylinder. Tried moving distributor when spinning motor with remote start button while ignition switch in on position, still no response. Can the timing be checked with a timing light while the engine is only being turned by the starter?

 

[alldodge]

No backfire, firing order used 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, rotor turns, spark test positive for all 8 plug wires, no water in oil, timing set a 10 degrees Before top dead center, on compression stroke,
Not 100% sure if distributor rotor is correctly pointed to number one cylinder. Tried moving distributor when spinning motor with remote start button while ignition switch in on position, still no response. Can the timing be checked with a timing light while the engine is only being turned by the starter?

That is the firing order for a GM small block, yours is a Ford and should be
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

Since your getting spark you must have bad gas or no gas. Take a small (not small) amount of fresh gas and pour into carb, then try to crank

 

[Scott Danforth]

unless the 302 has a 351 cam, then the firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8