How do you set the timing on a 1970 Ford F-100 360 cubic inch engine?

Answer 1

I have a 360 in my 75 and this is how I get mine going after the points style distributor has been out. 1. Rotate the engine until it is just about to fire on #1 cylinder (#1 is on the passenger side at the front of the engine, put your finger over the hole, when you feel air pressure, it is on the compression stroke, your timing marks on the balancer should also indicate close to TDC, it must be on the compression stroke, you could also use a compression gauge instead of your finger in the plug hole if you are by yourself, it will show a slight increase in pressure on the compression stroke, removing all plugs makes it easier to rotate the engine) 2. I rotate the engine until the timing marks indicate about 8 degrees before top dead center to advance the timing. 3. If the rotor in the distributor shows it is about to fire on the number #1 plug, you are set to turn the key. If not, your distributor needs to be reset correctly. 4. Tighten everything up and turn the key. Mine has always fired right up.