FORD cortina 3.0L V6 starting problems.recon tops new HTleads,plugs ,points,condenser,rotor.strong spark at contacts but weak spark at spark plugs.new carburetor .dont mis- or backfire.valve and distributor timing checked.firing order correct.valve clearance checked.

As Ray mentioned before spark plugs do come pre-gapped but as a rule I prefer to check them anyway just in case:

Plug gap 0.6mm to 0.7mm

Try replacing one plug wire, connect to plug and clamp plug base to some good ground with vise grips then crank and check for spark. Could it be as simple as bad wire from top of coil to dist. cap?

Recheck timing. Get #1 cylinder to top dead center on the compression stroke. Make sure the timing mark on the balancer is where it should be. Then pull the cap and make sure the rotor button is pointing to the #1 wire on the cap.

I would check the distributor cap and rotor, if any evidence of even slight corrosion
exists, this would give the exact symptoms you describe. Replace cap and rotor
and (I generally do the wires and clean the plugs as well). If this is all well and still
the problem exists then check the timing on the engine as the timing gear may have
slipped. Cylinder 1 should be at the top of the stroke when you manually rotate
the engine until the timing marks on the crank and timing chain cover align.
You can check this with a pencil or a stick to see where the highest point is after
rotating the crank if you do not have a timing light. Cylinder one is the closest
to the front of the vehicle. Use a socket and extension bar to manually rotate the
engine (in the direction it normally operates only). If ok then I would
have the ignition module tested at the parts jobber. Hope this helps.

no your problem is definately the dizzie cap, as i found out to my cost on a lansia beta. any kind of crack in ur dizzie will cause probs. best way to find out is park your car in the dark open bonnet with engine running then get a mist spray with water in it spray at dizzie and you will see a slight yellow arc around the crack! any crack in bakelite distributors leads to loss of one or more banks

Remove distributor cap and check the points, also with test light check if you have voltage at points, should have voltage, also check voltage at ignition coil, should have voltage at (+).

Your ignition circuit is faulty- it's probably the ignition switch itself that is defective. The misfire is that the distributor cap has a crack in it and the spark is directed to a particular plug wire and the spark has found its way to a non designated plug wire. It wouldn't be the coil, change the rotor and distributor cap be sure to mark your plug wires and reinsert into the proper hole in the distributor cap. Good Luck, Jim

pull out one of the spark plugs plug it in to plug wire run a jumper wire to the body or hook of the plug to ground the jumper must go to a suitable ground. pull out pcv hose to prevent car from starting have an assistant turn over the engine while you check for a strong blue or purple spark if the spark looks white or yellow there is a weak ignition condition and this must be adressed, bad ignition module bad cap and wires, etc. do the cap and rotor first if the spark is weak. If there is a strong spark sometimes holding the gas pedal to the floor while turning over the car for no more than 10 seconds starts stubborn motors do not let up on gas if car begins to start not until the motor starts to rev up.

Hello;
Take the distributor cap off, and turn the engine over. Does the rotor turn? Then pull the #1 spark plug and with your finger over the spark plug hole , tap the engine over to top dead center. See where the rotor is pointing. Also check to ensure your points are opening and closing. With an ohm meter make sure you have continuity through the carbon for the coil in the cap. Hope it helps.
Thanks;
Rich
RPM Northwest

All fords were notorious for starting at one bit but on the Cortina
that I had one winter I had to remove Two spark plugs from 1 and 3 cylinder , take them in the house warm them up on the gas ring then on return to the car pour in a half spoonful of petrol to the "pots" then refit the hot plugs then after 3 swings she would go. The only other solution was to put the car in a nice warm
garage.!!