My 1979 E-150 has the 4.9L six. It is impossible to read the timing marks on the engine. They are so lightly stamped into the metal bracket that they are unreadable from a normal position above the engine. What the hell was Ford thinking???

I tried thoroughly cleaning the metal stamping, removed the rubber splash shield from underneath and crawled around under the truck with a bright LED flashlight and mirror. Getting the angle on the mirror right and holding it still is more than challenging, and I wear progressive bi-focal glasses which makes seeing things close up sometimes difficult, but I'm pretty sure the 6 degree mark is very near the center of the bracket. That's where the timing light falls.

A camera wouldn't focus on the timing marks as the bracket is tucked further back than the radiator hose, ect.

The engine generally runs okay but it bugs me I can't be certain about the timing. I don't know what else I might try.

 

Just a suggestion... read about using a vacuum gauge for setting timing. It works!

 

On the 300's I've worked with there are usually 2 sets of timing marks. The set towards the passenger side is just lines stamped on the timing cover. The ones on the driver side are actually degrees stamped. I've only timed F series trucks, I don't have much experience with the econolines.