Aloha.
I was given a 1966 F100 with an inline 6, 300. I was driving and it just died. I replaced the coil,plugs/wires,rotor/cap,points and condensor. The condensor was the culprit. I also went to change the distributor. I removed it without marking anything. I did take pictures before I removed it. The new distributor was the wrong one for my engine. I put the old one back in just like the pictures i took. But I did not take a picture of where the rotor was pointing. Now my timing is way off. I found TDC i think. I can get the rotor to point where #1 plug wire is. I can get it to start but not for long. Spits and sputters and then dies. Is there a tool I can get to make sure I have TDC. Or could I have a totally different problem? I also have gas seeping out at the base of the carburator. I am awaiting a new electronic ignition kit.

 

Finding TDC is simply a matter of removing the spark plug and sticking a wooden dowel or something down the hole until it contacts the top of the piston; then turn the engine SLOWLY until the dowel JUST stops coming up. BUT, remember the piston comes to TDC twice during the four cycles. You must be at TDC on the compression stroke.

For ease of rotating the engine, remove all the spark plugs. Turn the nut on the harmonic balancer to rotate the engine. As Number 1 piston comes up, put your finger over the spark plug hole and feel for air pushing out. If you feel it, that is the compression stroke. Then, make sure the rotor is pointing at or near the Number 1 plug on the rotor cap.

Also note the rotation of the rotor and make sure the firing order is correct (not going backwards (yes, I have made this mistake). Then check for spark at the plug.

If you can't get it to run with points, the electronic ignition probably won't work either. These I-6s are probably the simplest and most dependable engines Ford ever made. Go slow and you will figure it out.

Fuel leaking may be a stuck float, worn float valve or both. A rebuild kit is cheap and relatively easy to install. I hope this helps.