Everything I have read here says to use the timing marks on the passenger side of the block. Well I have been over my (I think 1965) block with a fine tooth comb and there is no trace of any mark whatsoever on the passenger side. I set the valves and the timing with the marks cast on the drivers side and it runs, but very poorly. Where to go from here?

 

I forgot to say, that its a 240 engine.

 

Well, I found a picture on another thread of the sawtooth timing marks that are supposed to be on the passenger side and they are definitely not there on my block. I guess it's because mine is an older model. I'm left wondering if the marks cast on the timing cover on the drivers side are correct since they are the only ones there? If they are not right, then I guess I need to figure out how to set the timing & valves with no marks to go by.

 

If you can only find one set of timing marks on your motor, then that's probably the one you're supposed to use. How's it running? Perhaps there are other problems besides timing? Try bringing the #1 cylinder to TDC, and see where the mark on the balancer lines up with the timing marks that you do have.

 

this is simple man.

find TDC and then youll know.

 

I don't think I can remember a 300 with the marks on the passanger side always the drivers. Usually cast in the timing cover and some equipped with a stamped bolt n deal. That is what i remember. Kotzy

 

This is the thread where a senior user names stractor said that the timing marks stamped on the drivers side are always wrong and should not be used:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...-do-i-use.html

I did use the driver's side marks to set the timing and valves because they were the only marks there, but like I said in the first post, it ran worse after the adjustments. I'm going to pull a plug and check TDC against the marks like Motorhead suggested, but I probably won't get a chance to work on the truck again until this weekend.

 

Orange, I have the same issue- no timing bracket on passenger side. Bring your motor up to TDC, then make a mark on the damper at zero using the stamped marks you do have. This is your "new" reference mark.