I've heard rumors there there could be two timing marks on the crank,damper Ive looked for two differnt marks and have only been able to fine one...my point is that Ive tried timing the engine and I cant seem to see the timing point that I have marked with yellow colored pencil....
anyone else have a hard time or should I just re-mark the small square again in whiteout and try again?

Jon
'75 F100 4X4 5.9
'89 F150 4X4 4.9

 

There is a timing pointer cast into the timing cover, but the correct pointer is just stamped sheet metal bolted under the water pump.

 

Have you disabled the computer controlled timing?

 

There are two timing mark on the lower crank pulley. One is almost 1/4 inch wide and more of a notch. That's NOT the timing mark. The timing mark is the small notch. Mark that with white out and do this to time your engine:
Pull the spout plug: look for two wires coming out of your distributor. Follow them to a grey/white plug. Pull that plug out to disable the timing advance and set it aside. Start the engine. Your white-outed notch on the crank pulley should show up in the timing gauge on the passenger side of the front of the engine...as long as your timing light is working. Loosen the dist. hold down bolt and move the dist clockwise or c-clockwise to bring the white-out notch into the big notch on your timing gauge...that is 10 degrees BTDC. Tighten the hold down bolt on the dist., re-install the spout plug and you're ready to rock.

 

Thanks for the help I do know about the inline spout connector....I was trying to time the engine by the larger notch...I'll have to inspect the damper closer tomorrow. thanks again
Jon
'75 F100 4X4 5.9
'89 F150 4X4 4.9

 

Well today I messed around with the timing again on my truck....still cant seem to find the OTHER mark. Why the heck would you put two marks on this thing....especialy since John Q public has to use the "other" mark not the large noticable mark....which I would assume is for a dealer of Ford tech to troubleshoot from. Well anyways its winter time and I have no desire to stand/lay outside looking for this OTHER mark...If anyone could tell me where the Other mark is in relation to the Large Notch that would be helpfull as I'm at a dead end .
Jon
'75 F100 4X4 5.9 Timed
'89 F150 4X4 4.9 KINDA Timed

 

I like the modification to the sig, Jon- I am working second Wednesday and Thursday, stop by and I'll check it out.

 

Hi here is an answer to your question that I had written to another person on this board some time back. I hope it helps.

Hi, Ok here goes. Ford in all its infinate wisdom put two sets of timing marks on the 300. There is one set on the right hand side near the top of the timing cover, these marks are cast in the cover. These naturally are the WRONG marks. On the left side of the timing cover where you can't see them are the right marks. They are on a metal plate bolted to the cover using the cover bolts. The vibration damper also has two sets of marks, wouldn't you know it! There is a large square notch , nope not the right one . There is also a very thin scribed line on the damper, yep that is the right one. .
To do this right, slide under the engine and clean off the thin scribe line and paint it white and while you are under there you can see the bolted on timing mark on the cover there is a large triangle cut in the plate , that is 10 degrees before TDC the correct setting .Pull your distributor cap and crank the engine untill the rotor points at number one cyl on the cap.Then see if you can see the alignment of the timing mark on the damper some how and the mark on the bolt on plate, its easier when the engine isn't running and you can stick your head in there without loosing half of it. Your timing marks should be some where near each other. Crank the engine to align the 0 degree mark and the mark on the damper, don't worry about the distributor position. Just line up the marks. Then go to the right side of the cover with the cast in marks( that you can see) and mark the damper with white somthing, paint even whiteout works.Now you have a new timing mark that you can see. Pull the spout, yes it is in the same harness as the distributor connector, its a gray jumper.Put the cap back on. Start the engine and use your new marks to set the timing at 10Degrees before TDC.
Of course this only works if your cover has the cast in marks, I have a 90 and it has the marks. I have just finished assembling the engine and found out that the engine was set using the damper line and the cast in marks. I figure the engine was running 40 degrees retarded, but MAN did ever start quick in any weather with any oil at any temp.
There are other way to do this but it takes too long to describe them here.Sorry I almost forgot. When you mark the damper with the new mark it should be marked the same as the left side original, i.e.--
if the original marks are aligned at 0 you should paint your new mark to align at 0 also, if the original is at say 6 your new mark should be painted to be in line with 6 on the cast marks and so on.

 

Hi, in my previous reply it probably told you more than you need . The reason there is a big notch in the damper is I believe for an optical timing sensor used by dealers to set timing on thier fancy machines. there is what looks like a probe holder on my sheet metal timing plate. My previous reply is based on a 1990 -300.
Stractor

 

Thanks for you information I intend to just crank the engine up to TDC on the No.1 and see if I can find that little mark .....the engine has 156,000 miles on it and I just want to tune it up correctly .. Thanks again
Jon
'75 F100 4X4 5.9 timed
'89 F150 4X4 4.9 soon to be properly timed !