I need to know how to set the initial timing on a 1990 f-250 300 ci 6cyl. My Chiltons just says set and check initial timing. How is that done? What do I need to disconnect in terms of sensors and vacume lines etc.

Thanks

 

First, look at the tag under the hood, it has more info. than you will ever need.After warming up the engine,hook up the timing light to #1 and battery,then remove the "spout" plug near the dist. harness and view the timing mark at balancer.If not at 10 BTDC,loosen dist. hold down and gently turn dist. until correct. Retighten bolt and double check.Reinsert the "spout" and you are done!
Phillip

 

Thanks for the info Phillip. At first I was a bit redfaced about not reading the tag under the hood but when I looked again there is no tag under the hood. I did as you suggested and found the timing notch to be about 180 out from the indicators. so moved to wire 3 assuming that someone had pulled the distributor and not replaced properly. timed to 10 BTDC now run worse than before. In the morning I will pull the distributor and start over from scratch. thanks again.