1978 351W Timing Marks?
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1978 351W Timing Marks?
Hey all, I am new to the site, and have been doing alot of looking around. I have a 1978 E-150 with a 351W in it, and for the life of me I can't seem to find the timing marks. Does this engine have timing marks? If so can you please point me in the right direction...Thanks all 
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
Does it still have the emissions sticker? If it does what does it say in the "computer" or "engine controls" You're looking for DURASPARK, and it will be either 1, 2, or 3 (EEC-III). If it's EEC-III (duraspark 3) then the timing is controlled solely by the computer. If it's Duraspark 2 (indicated on the bottom of the emissions sticker), then it's a vacuum controlled system. Look at the crank pulley from the top, and see if you have a point. If so you'll need to crawl under the van with a large breaker bar with a socket to fit the bolt in the crank, and a wire brush or a brush head in a drill. Clean up the harmonic balancer and get as much of the dirt and rust off as you can. If you can then see the mark paint the area black. Find out what the base timing should be and mark that spot with a white stripe. Oh and Welcome to FTE!
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I had the same problem with my 80, felt kinda dumb when I finally found the marks on the harmonic balancer. It took alot of brake cleaner and rags to get all the dirt out of them. The marks are not very big but they should be there.
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Originally Posted by pfogle
Does it still have the emissions sticker? If it does what does it say in the "computer" or "engine controls" You're looking for DURASPARK, and it will be either 1, 2, or 3 (EEC-III). If it's EEC-III (duraspark 3) then the timing is controlled solely by the computer. If it's Duraspark 2 (indicated on the bottom of the emissions sticker), then it's a vacuum controlled system. Look at the crank pulley from the top, and see if you have a point. If so you'll need to crawl under the van with a large breaker bar with a socket to fit the bolt in the crank, and a wire brush or a brush head in a drill. Clean up the harmonic balancer and get as much of the dirt and rust off as you can. If you can then see the mark paint the area black. Find out what the base timing should be and mark that spot with a white stripe. Oh and Welcome to FTE!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by Davetopay
HAHAHA....he said 1978.....that is a 2bbl 351. No computers there! It took for ever to find the marks on mine as well, they were full of nearly 30 years of crud and goo.
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Originally Posted by subford
Why do you think it does not have a computer?
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Fleet Owner
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From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by Davetopay
Ummm... because there are none on that truck. I have the same year/model. I also had a 79, which was not computer controlled. The stock carb is a 2bbl holley, the ignition is electronic, but advance is controlled by weights and vacuum. There is NO powertrain computer in a 78 E150. That's all there is to it.
Autozone also says that the DuraSpark II was from 1979-1988 but my 1977 F250 has a DuraSpark II, so there you go.
I do not know what was sold in Canada.
But yes I would say about all sold in VA (your state) had the system you talk about.
The Computer was under the driver’s seat and there was not any primary wires going to the distributor and no vacuum advance on them either. There was also a pick-up at the vibration damper.
Last edited by subford; Dec 27, 2006 at 08:13 AM.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
If it's cali-emissions then yes it has a computer. That started in late '78 early '79. Also just because your vehicles didn't have them does not mean his does not. Also DO NOT trust autozone... They can't even tell you what transmission comes in most older cars. They have no listing for a 351w and a C4 in a '79 LTD. Does this mean it wasn't a factory car? NO, it just means that whoever setup AZ's database is an idiot.
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I'm in the process of cleaning the gunk from the balancer, and it seems that the one on my 78 351w is not stamped very well. I've used brake cleaner, mavel oil, wd40, and a lot of rags and scotchbrite pads, and can barely make out one or 2 numbers...what I need to know is what order they are on the balancer. My buddy that is supposed to be a "ford Man" couldn't find them, or even say if they were there. He also was the one that pulled my distributor, because it had to be 2 teeth off, then It wouldn't run right afterwords. I'm a Chevy man and got under there and scrubbed it off, and believe me , they are there. Mine just are almost nonreadable. The pointer line is the edge of the bracket at about 10 to 11 o'clock on the front of the block, as you face the engine.
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