Bought a Ford F-150 4.9 Liter 6 cylinder new in 1993 and now has 350,000 miles. Replaced the original distributor & ignition module today because of hard starting. Now the engine starts instantly and seems to be running smooth. Placed witness marks on old distributor before removing placing new distributor as close to witness marks as possible.
Bought a timing light this afternoon having never used one before. Any suggestion about what the degree should be when idling? Where is the timing mark?
Thank you

 

10 degrees BTDC. If the engine is running smooth the timing must be very close.

You need to disconnect the spout connector plug to set the timing.

Here are two threads that should answer your questions.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10469335

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-91-4-9-a.html

 

Thank you for this information and will get under the truck to clean the notch area, etc. I read the sticker under the hood by Ford stating to disconnect the inline spout connector. Do you know where this is located?
Thank you.

 

If the ignition control module (TFI module) is bolted to the side of the distributor follow the wire harness and it looks like the first picture. If you have the remote ignition control module it's towards the back of the driver side fender as shown in the link below.

It's just a plug that makes or breaks the wire connection. You disconnect the plug so the computer does not control the timing.




Click on this link for a picture of the remote TFI module. It's shown in thread #4.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post10476486




.

 

Thank you so much for the help. Found & disconnected the inline spout connector. Set timing according to information provided by Ford underneath the hood and now finished.
Not a car mechanic but I know more about engines today than I did two days ago and it feels good.