what jb posted (piston stop) is only to doublecheck the timing marks on the balancer. Not for the timing process itself.
Ford balancers are known to occasionally slip. Only if you know that the markings are correct you can time the enine properly as everything else is just messed up

 

That makes sense. The problem I just noticed on mine, was that I can not see the timming markings on the balancer. Hopefully, this way I can see what the timing is.

 

i have tried using a timing gun but the marks are not visible
so i have tried doing it by ear but with no luck
any suggestions?

 

use some white-out (or white paint) and make a white mark on the timing mark of the harmonic balancer.

 

chaulk...