Say, reading that other issue on timing got me thinking. When I put in my new 351W, I dropped the distributor in at 10 BTC. In other words, the number 1 cylinder was set to fire in the distributor when the balancer showed 10 BTC. Was this the correct way to set the dist? If not, does it throw the readings off on the timing? The truck runs great, it's more or less a question that I'm pondering and if I should bother to change my setup.

Steve

 

The way you positioned your dist. is perfect! You were thinking very clearly on that one.Just for conversation, I'd like to point out that,and this applies to engines without the hall effect type of magnetic pick up's,no matter which terminal you face the tip of the rotor to when you drop your dist. in the block,as long as that terminal becomes the #1 plug,and you follow the fire order in sequence and direction,the motor will run properly.My first experience on this was on a chebby,the owner changed his timing chain himself,and for some reason removed the dist.in the process.He had lined up his gears "dot to dot", which is #6 TDC and reinstalled the dist. for a #1 spark.When it wouldn't even pop,I got involved,and just rewired his wires to where the #6 wire was on the #1 terminal on the cap and took off from there with the fire order.He turned the key and I looked like the hero of the day in his eyes.I could have picked up the dist. and reposition the rotor,but the rewire was a lot faster.I forgot if the FORDS are on #1 TDC when the gears are "dot to dot",unlike the chebby ?
Phillip