I replaced the cylinder head on my 300 six . I got valves set about right . The carburetor is spitting badly and I can't seem to get the ignition timing corrected . Do I need to pull the distributor and move the rotor so a cylinder will line up correctly or what ?

 

Welcome to the forum! Make sure you do not have the distributor 180 degrees out... that will cause spitting back through the carburetor. But, first, are the spark plug wires in the correct firing order? 1-5-3-6-2-4

 

I have done that ! Remember now , that Ford 6 has timing marks , ONE IS INCORRECT on the Timing gear cover .

I have pulled the distributor until my feet could NO LONGER support me . it either starts with too much advance , spitting THROUGH the carburetor or , wont start at all !!!!!!!!

I'm convinced one can NOT try and time this truck on TDC or piston 1 !

 

Have you confirmed TDC on your timing marks? The outer rings on the dampners have been known to spin on the hub. When this happens the timing mark/s are no longer correct.

 

Check for vacuum leaks.

 

What year is the truck/engine? Did you have this problem before you replaced the cyl head?

 

OK , to start at the beginning , I replaced the carburetor only to discover that #1 piston wasn't doing it's job . The Piston appeared to be OK but the head had a bad valve . I replaced the head with a USED head . It started initially and I began to re set the valves . It rattled and I let out the clutch to stop the engine cold .

Here is where I began to inspect the two sets of timing marks . I used to TINY notch on the Crank to TDC on the "Sawtooth " marks on the pass side . I poked a screw driver to determine if the piston was indeed UP!

The Rotor was pointing at #1 . The motor would only start and run , ( Through spitting the carb ) in an EXTREME advanced position . I have tried backing the timing by moving the distributor back ONE notch in the RETARD . This has done NOTHING . problem is I have NO One to help and I have no way to get parts now . This was my driver !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh the engine is a 1978 Ford 300 4.9 L VERY stock engine 890000 on the clock

 

Do you have a pickup module inside your distributor?

 

Yes, it's the EEC 1 model distributor

 

I again suggest you check for vacuum leaks. The symptoms you describe are almost identical to what I went through after installing a new engine and having a massive vacuum leak at the gasket face.

Remove the brake booster hose from the intake and attach a long enough piece of hose the same size to the intake, so you can comfortably stand/move around the engine with the other end of the hose in your mouth. Get a cigar and gently blow smoke into the intake through the hose for a minute or two. Good lighting will obviously help you see any smoke that leaks out around the engine.

I'll bet you have a nasty leak somewhere.