I read all the instructions and watched all videos on using a timing light on my 1991 F150 V8. The truck has no markings, no pointer, no degree marks, nothing. What do I do now?
Please help.

 

Unless some one has removed the Tab or pointer your just missing them.
On the crank shaft front pulley is a line or lines denoting 0, 5 ,10 15 degrees etc.
Off the front cam cover is either a flat tab or a pointer.
It can be set up either way. With degrees on the tab or marked on the crank pulley.
Clean off the crank pulley and the tab so you can see the markings.
Apply chalk to the one with the timing marks and a bit to the pointer then lightly rub it off so what is left fill the marking.
Set a timing light up on cylinder #1.
Remove the SPOUT plug.
Loosen the distributer hold down bolt so you can just move the distributer.
Start engine let it warm up.
Align the pointer with the 10 degree mark by moving the distributer the lock it down with the bolt.
Put SPOUT plug back in and recheck that the timing has move advanced to somewhere in the 18 to 20 degree area.
you done at this point.
.
If you still cannot see any marks, rotate the motor so #1 cylinder is up on compression (firing). The marks should line up as well as the distributer rotor is pointing to #1 plug wire tower..
BTW even on a 97 and later 4.6 and 5.4 motors there are timing 'references' but not in the same way as the earlier motors have.
Good luck.

 

Thanks Bluegrass 7, I will look once again and clean off the area then follow your directions. I have noticed that not all directions given in timing procedures mention the SPOUT PLUG. What is it, where do I find it and why do you remove it?
Thanks again,
Harley

 

The SPOUT:
It is the link plug between the computer to the distributer TFI that controls ignition timing.
To set the 'base' timing the plug has to be remove so the computer cannot change the timing while your trying to set up the reference.
Find the TFI and follow it's harness and you should come to a plug and socket.
Remember the system is electronic timing because the distributer has no vacuum or centrifugal advance hardware in or on it.
Good luck.

 

Moved to correct forum.

 

That is what the spout looks like. That is just a a=random pic I got from a google search, your spout may be in a different spot.