Ok i have a 93 ford 460 stock. I just rebuilt the top half of my engine an had to pull the distributor now my timing is off. The distributor is out of the engine an now i need to know what to do from here. Is there any thing special to put the distributor back in? An how do i set the timing or dose the computer do it for me? This is my first time doing this whole thing.

 

You are going to have to get the number 1 cylinder to the top of it's compression stroke, pull the spark plug on it and turn the crank shaft (while facing the front of the block) clockwise, until there is pressure coming out of the spark plug hole when the piston is on the way up, put your finger over the hole so you can feel it. DO NOT STICK ANYTHING HARD IN THE CYLINDER TO CHECK WHERE THE PISTON IS! You can use a plastic straw or similar, just don't let it bind while turning the crank. Don't turn the crank the other way if you pass it just go around again (a little bit wont hurt but if you go way past then just go around again), you will notice when there is pressure and when there is not pressure when the piston moves to the top. Once you find the compression stroke, before turning it all the way to the top you will need to stop and check the timing mark in relation to the pointer near the H.B.(harmonic balancer).

Check on your stickers to see what the timing should be set to.....on my 429 (which is the same block as your 460) is to be set at 10* BTDC. TDC should be marked on the H.B. or it will be marked with a "0". Since you are turning the crank by hand clockwise you will want to stop the pointer at 10* BEFORE THE TDC OR "0" MARK (if yours is to be 10*).

Once you get that pointer set to the correct timing mark with the #1 piston coming up on the compression stroke, install the distributor with the rotor just starting to make contact with the pickup on the cap (mark the dist. housing where the pickup will be when the cap is on, should be around 12:00-1:00 while facing the front of the block I think), you will notice which way the rotor turns while turning the crank if you already have it installed. Be sure to put some lube between the block and the distributor housing and SNUG the dist. clamp only tight enough so you can turn the dist. by hand smoothly.

Once you do this you have gotten it close enough to run the motor, start it and use a timing light to get it dead on to the correct timing mark.

BTW, next time before pulling the distributor be sure to mark the block and the housing, usually with a chisel or similar so it doesn't get cleaned off.

 

Here you will see the rotor moves counter clockwise.

Ford 429 460 514 V8 Engine Specs-Torque Specs-Cylinder Numbering-Firing Order-Distributor Rotation