i've got a 77 351m400. it is the 400. i wanto set the timing, but it's not currently in a running condition. any help is appreciated. THanks

 

ok if ur gonna start over n reset ur timing get it up on #1 on the compression stroke,pull the #1 sparkplug n ck for it to be on top dead center,then pop ur dist cap n make sure the rotor button is pointing to the #1 plug wire on the cap if its not pull the dist n reset it,when u reset the dist in the hole back it up about a 1/2 in from where u want it to set n when it goes in it should b really close,then try to start it ur gonna have to move the dist around a lil to get it to fire,once it fires up pull the vacume line n set the timing w a light i think it should be 10 degrees on the harmonic balancer w the timing tab i hope this helps

 

it does a lot. but when i get to to tdc on #1, where should the "pointer" be on the harmonic balancer- i was just going to go off of that...still could pull the plug, check that, and then see where the "pointer" is...
and if i've pulled the dist. out, and now it's not wanting to go back in completely(not seating), i think its bc of the oil pump shaft- can i turn that with a socket a little bit and then retry putting the dist back in?

 

it should be at Zero.

yes

 

Ok no worries just un hook the dist harness hold a lil pressure on the dist n bump it over if u have it in the rite place as far as the timing goes then when it drops in it will still b in time then put ur retainer bolt in n plug it bk up n spin it over while u play w the dist to get it started