Hey Joe,
I had a 302 Ford give similar symptoms that you are describing. In my case, it was the timing chain that got stretched so badly that it jump time and would not start. After installing new timing chain and gears, it started right up.
Not sure of an easy way to check without disassembling front of the engine.
Another thing to check, if fuel injected, see if the inertia switch needs to be reset. It is a push/pull switch that will go off in vehicle is hit.
Hope this helps,
:grin: