Hello all- I have been thru the older posts and found some good info on timing issues, I actually learned some new stuff-such as the myth about being a tooth off on HEI ignitions. I have a 74 wagon, that had points and a broken ring. Recently I rebuilt the 302 and swapped a duraspark 2 system into it,with a new distributor for the duraspark2. For the intial start, I grinded on it for a few seconds and determined no spark. Swapped out the cheapy brain box from pep boys that I had a few of on the shelf from other rebuilds for a motorcraft original blue grommet box. Truck fired right up and let it run for 10 minutes at higher RPMs. Once I had help to start it again, I put the timing light on it- and it would not run well close to the timing marks- sounded like the rockers were going to shoot thru the valve covers the closer I brought it to the mark. Now I am assuming that If I was 180 out it would not have run at all- it did not backfire when it started and ran OK- not good but OK if you kept the Rs up. So what does this sound like- maybe wrong wiring or a plug boot off?

 

You might have a mismatched pointer and crank damper... which is very possible... where did you get the damper and pointer? Here is why I ask... some dampers, including FMS have three or even four sets of marks.... And it is a real PITA to figure them out... the best way to do this is do it when the engine is a short block and then line everything up and make a mark on the damper to illustrate which marks to use and check alignment with the pointer.... this is where the aftermarket becomes the disastermarket.... especially with it comes to timing cover, damper and pointer.... I have a stock 67 timing cover from a bronco with a cast pointer that is drivers side marked, both have rebuilt engines with new timing covers from Ford.... one I had to cut a crank sensor off.... one is drivers side marked with a metal pointer, the other is passenger side marker with a metal pointer.... both pointers are stock ford items from other engines....

My point is you might be off because you are timing with the wrong marks.... and also depending on the advance ground into the cam... you could also be off a little too....

What cam did you use? Did you use and adjustable timing chain?

You are not 180 out because when you are 180 out what you are trying to do is fire when you are on the exhaust stroke... which will never work...