drummer701

well this is the first ford i havereally built(1989 mustang gt with 306)and im ussually a chevy guy but i cant seem to find top dead center TDC, is there some trick on a ford , is it any diff than a chevy?

mattdel

#1 is front left cylinder, not right

drummer701

ya but its blowing out at 3 o clock

ahittz24

cyl #'s are
4 8
37
2 6
1 ()5

The () is the distributor. Also the numbers are marked on the harmonic balancer itself rather than the meter on the timing cover with a line on the balancer like GM's have. Make sure you are on the compression stroke on #1 and if you pass it do not turn the motor backwards as this will create slack in the timing chain.

drummer701

i bought the motor assembly is it possible the cam(e303) is installed wrong

ahittz24

its possible that the timing chain isnt properly installed.

mattdel

timing chain could be off yah, but i'm bettin on a user error.
this might help.

mattdel

did you install the distributor yourself? you look about 2 teeth off, if its coming out at 3oclock

drummer701

no its not a user errror i think it is the timing but ill find out tommorow

mattdel

i'm just saying, if your at TDC on #1, and the rotor is pointing inbetween #8 & #4, either the cam/chain is off(which wouldn't be likely if you purchased a short block) or the distributor(which you installed yourself) is off