Tym,
Are you using the "correct firing order" ?
It is possible to still achieve compression with the cam timing off.
To check distributor timing
Pull the coil wire and ground it.
Pull the number one plug.
Get an assistant to crank the engine over a little at a time (1/4 turn)
while you have your finger poked in the sparkplug hole just enough to plug
the opening.
When you feel "significant" pressure pushing your finger out of the hole
stop.
Move to the front of the engine and note that you should be close to the TDC
mark on the pointer. (Assuming you have the correct pointer) If I understand
correctly the new 5.0 motors have the timing tab on the opposite side of the
engine than the 260. If you are close rotate the Balancer to line up with
the pointer at TDC. If you are not close you may have the wrong timing
indicator???
With the Balancer at TDC now mark the distributor housing with a scribe or a
black marker at the location of the number 1 plug wire.
Remove the cap and note the location of the rotor. Is it lined up with the
mark? If so check to ensure that the advance plate can rotate within the
distributor and provides centrifugal advance and is not being interfered
with by the distributor cap.
To check distributor advance
Disconnect Vacuum advance hose and plug.
Obtain an adjustable advance timing light or just rev the engine to 3500 RPM
and hold while observing the timing with the light. You should observe about
34-38 degrees total timing at 3500-3800 RPM.
If this doesn't work I would be trying to degree the cam.
Regards,
Tim Ronak
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