Timing Adjustment Question

[JAGSARGE]

I'm wondering if I'm one tooth off on my dizzy. Just replaced the distributor on 89, 5.0, auto. The previous dizzy was advanced all the way to the left, to the point where the ICM is touching the thermostat housing. When I replaced the dizzy I brought #1 to top dead center and installed the new one.

With the new dizzy in, it's the same deal, it won't even start unless it's advanced all the way to the left, w/ the ICM touching the thermostat housing.

Today I removed the SPOUT to time it w/ the timing light and it won't even run w/ the SPOUT disconnected.

I guess this is a two-pronged question:

1. Should I try to move the dizzy back a tooth and see if this actually gives me room to adjust the timing? Doesn't the dizzy clocked all the way to the left seem a little odd?

2. Can a SPOUT connecter go bad? I searched O'Reillys but didn't see anything. I'm going to hit it w/ some electronic connector cleaner as the two prongs look a little corroded. Is there a way to test this, IE: resistance level?

This all has to do w/ my other thead, 'Hard Start, Ignition or Fuel'

Thanks in advance

[Davescort97]

Move the distibutor back a gear notch. Then try to start it.

[JAGSARGE]

took the dizzy back one tooth, this looks better! I set the timing at 10 degrees w/ the spout connector out, but with the spout plugged back in it jumps to 30 degrees.

The marks on the balancer go, 10 . 0 . 10 . 20 . 30

With the spout off I timed it at the second 10 degrees (between 0 and 20), but doesn't 30 seem high with the spout plugged back in?

Did I use the wrond 10?

[Davescort97]

I would leave it at that. My timing on my Escort is 25 to 30 degrees BTDC. At idle it is only 3 degrees BTDC. I would pay attention to it pinging under a load out on the highway. I think what you have done is right. If it pings retard it a few degrees and try it again.

[JAGSARGE]

Nailed it! She's running like a champ now.

My understanding is that my timing marks go 10 - 0 - 10 - 20 - 30 w/ 0 being Top Dead Center.

The manual says to set the base at 10 Before Top Dead Center (BTDC), I set mine around 8 or 9 BTDC. With the spout in it jumps to a little over 10 degrees and runs like a champ.

THanks for your input and assistance!

(other notes for future users: truck is an 89, F150, 5.0/302, automatic. To set your timing, remover the SPOUT connector, mine was in the harness right next to the ICM (ignition control module), unplug it and set your timing to 10 BTDC (the first 10 mark), plug the SPOUT back in and you should be good to go!)

If my process is incorrect, please someone post up so I don't screw anyone else up, but it worked for me