I have a 1994 F150, 302, manual..what should the timing be? also...should you need to mess with this? Shouldn't the computer adjust this? If so...if you make an adjustment won't the computer change what you just set it to?

 

you should have a sticker on the underside of the hood that tells you not only what the timing should be set at, but also how to check the timing.

I'm not sure about the 302, but the 5.8 is 10 degrees BTDC

 

Run 10 to 12 degrees to start with. Make sure you pull the advance plug out before you check it. It will be next to the firewall on the drivers side. All the computer does is adjust the advance as you rev the engine. You have to set the base timing. The more timing you can run without detonation the better your performance and economy will be.

 

Mine is a 1994... Under the hood there is a sticker that says timing I'd not adjustable... I'd this true??

 

Yes you can adjust it, they just tell you you can't so they can make more money. Like farmer12 said stock timing is 10deg BTDC. Its recommended to use a timing light so you can get an accurate setting, or some people do very small increments by hands turning the distributor counter clockwise. And pull the SPOUT connector, its what the computer controls for advanced timing under load, what you are adjusting is the base timing of the engine. It feels like you added an extra 10 or 15 HP if done right.

Just don't turn the distributor too far or it will begin to knock and cause some damage.

 

Where exactly is and what does the SPOUT connector look like? Possible to get a picture? And timing marks..driver or passenger side? Didn't see them with a quick look.

 

There wont be any timing marks in the distributor, only on the timing cover. If you're using a timing light you want to set the crank on TDC and have it on the #1 cylinder. Hook up your light to the battery and then the big clamp to the #1 plug wire, pull the spout, run the engine and check the timing. Here is where your spout should be.

 

To easily set your crank, you can buy/make a remote ignition switch and wire it across your fender solenoid, just pull the coil wire form the distributor so it wont start up on you or you can use a harmonic balancer wrench that you can rent from a parts store and do it by hand.

 

Ok..I know there won't be any in the distributor...but timing marks just like are normally on any other vehicle?

 

Older diagram but this is how it should look like on the 5.0L on the crank.