As I was setting out to replace my 300 cid distributor, I ran into a head scratcher.
I checked the timing before I removed it, and it was no where near the 10 degree base timing that it should have been. It had always run fine, so I decided to proceed. Now since I can't adjust the timing with the distributor, does it make a difference if I got the new dist off a cog either direction? And what is the proper way to verify the timing? BTW, I did remove the spout prior to checking it.

 

The teeth shouldn't make a difference. The only thing that has to be right is the rotor's position to the pins in the cap. I know when I changed out mine on my 94 7.5, the dist had a plastic adapter between the cap and dist body. I just marked the rotor position on the adapter with a sharpie, then put the adapter in the new body. I got the rotor close to the same position as when it was taken off, then adjusted the body to line it up with my marks and clamped it down. Fired right up.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ing-boost.html

I had the same question a while back, so if you really wanna nail in the timing, this is the best way.

 

It doesn't matter what tooth the distributor is on. There is enough back and forth in the shaft to accommodate being off a tooth or two.

You were probably looking at the wrong timing marks. Do not go by the ones cast into the timing cover, they are there strictly to confuse you and they are not needed or used. There is a small bracket on the passenger side of the balancer, that's the one you want.

Once you find TDC (front cylinder both valves closed and piston at the top of the stroke) then you unplug the SPOUT, fire it up, set it to 10 BTDC and you're good to go.

 

I noticed the 2 marks, neither one seemed to give the the correct reading, and the pass side one was really hard to read, so I figured it must be the other one. I think I get how to check it now, using the info you gave me.

Also, 94BigRed, the link you gave me had a great method by using a vacumm gauge. Sounds like that way would give you the most performance.

This is all good info, you guys are a great help!