#1 on fords(w/ a few exceptions) is the right front or rather the passenger side front

So it starts hard at about 10degrees BTDC but much better at 30degrees BTDC, or did I miss understand you and have it backwards that it just runs better at 30+ degrees, usually when it starts hard it's advanced to much, but maybe I'm mixed up here, when does it start hard? Next question, are you sure you were on the #1 sparkplug wire w/ the timing light since you asked?

 

Hey cowboy, Yep I am sure I was on #1, But I will admit that when my Bro in law (who was helping me) saw me hook to the drivers side, He fell on the ground laughing. He set me straight though!
It only starts hard after it warms up. not when cold
It runs better at 30+ Btdc than at 14 Btdc And when i set to 10 its very hard starting even when cold.

As andrew pointed out I did replace the Harmonic balancer, because the one on the truck was broken when I got it.

 

I believe # 1 is front on the passenger side. If your balancer has not spun and your marks line up. Check the advance in the dist. You said it sat for three years and with mechanical advance the weights or springs may be stuck in either full advance or full retard. If your advance is free. You must be off when you dropped in the dist by a tooth or two. Even with a radical cam you should not have too have that much advance at idle.