Re: missing 302

If the car is an XC (blue motor, large dissy shaft), the factory electronic ignition in the car is a bosch unit, magnetic pickup in the dissy with the control box on the left inner guard. To test the box, pull the coil lead off the dissy and rest it near an earth, unplug the two pin connector from the base of the dissy and get a short piece of wire and jump the two terminals together (on the wiring loom side) a few times, if its all good youll get spark. I've never had any problems with these units, seem pretty reliable.

If its an XD (black motor, small dissy shaft) it'll have the dissy with the elec module built in, these units do go bad pretty regularly, the shaft bushes wear out and usually the teeth get knocked around on the mag pickup. Never messed around with these, but if you pull the cap should be pretty east to see if the pickup teeth have been knocked around.

Since its been sitting for a while the needles in the carb may be stuck open and flooding the motor, might be likely with the fuel smell. Other than that, pull the plugs for a check and pull the valve covers as suggested.

Let us know how you get on.
regards,
Nathan