I need some clarification. On my 1967 F-100,352 CID ( i got it last week), I found #1 cylindere ignition location significantly different than shown on Shop manual fig 30 on page 9-22. In the fig it is right in the front. I can always verify buy putting #1 cylinder on TDC with compressiohjn stroke.

The engine starts but does not seem to have pep. I will appreciate some feedback .

 

Ford 352 360 390 406 427 428 V8 Engine Specs | Torque Specs - Cylinder Numbering - Firing Order - Distributor Rotation

 

Sounds like someone before you wired it the old school way...drop the distributor in, put the rotor on and wherever the rotor points to on the cap becomes No. 1 on the cap...run that wire to the left front plug, then wire the rest of the cap using the firing order for that engine. That works cause a mechanical distributor really doesn't know the difference between towers on the dist. cap...it just fires whenever the rotor passes the tower contact inside the cap. Before you tear into it, I would check how it's wired now...trace the plug wire from No. 1 cylinder (right front, passenger side) back to the cap, then go around the cap and make sure the wires go to the correct cylinders according to the firing order diagram. If those are correct and the wires look good, you may just need to adjust the timing a little. You will need a timing light and some kind of rpm gauge. Clean the timing marks on the bottom engine pulley...steel wool works great and then mark over them with white kids' sidewalk chalk...connect the timing light and rpm gauge, start the truck and check the timing. It's probably out of spec and needs to be reset...I think a 352 is like a 360...6 degrees BTDC for a manual tranny in N, 10 degrees
BTDC for an auto tranny in Drive, wheels chocked, parking brake set and headlights on to put a load on the alternator. Post back and let us know what you find...adjusting the timing isn't complicated and we can talk you through it.

 

Thanks for the detailed answer. Even though the current configuration is incorrect, the firing order is correct. Lokking at the right configuration, it starts at #2 position on the cap. I just wanted to confirm. I do have all the equipment and planr to follow the right configuration as shown on the Shop Manual fig 30, page 9-22.
I do appreciate you taking time and provide good explanation. I owe a six-pack but you have visit WA. Thanks!

 

Sir, some years ago I was checking timing on a friends 390 , after setting it the engine really sounded lame, I removed # 1 plug and turned it over by hand , the mark for tdc did not line up with the pointer, the outer ring of the harmonic balancer had slipped ,this does not happen often but is worth checking. Kenny Nunez

 

THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR VIEWS. I FOLLOWED THE POSITION OF THE DISTREIBUTOR PER SHOP MANUAL (FIG 30, ON 9-22, VOLUME 2). tHE FIRING ORDER WAS CORRECT TO BEGIN WITH. I REMOVED THE DISTRIBUTOR AND SET #1 RIGHT IN THE FRONT ON THE COMPRESSION STROKE ON TDC MARK . IT FIRED UP OK AND SET THE TIMING AT 6 BTDC. I AM STILL TWEAKING DWELL ANGLE AND THE POINT GAP.
AMI

 

Sir, If you really want to get the dwell right, remove the plugs,ground the coil wire,spin the engine with the starter and adjust the points with a dwell meter,this is a better way than with a feeler gauge, if the meter needle moves and does hold steady get the distributor rebuilt .A worn distributor will show up when the timing marks are moving when using a timing light at idle speed. Kenny Nuunez