roughneck

Does anyone know how to set the ignition timing without using a timing
light? I have a '90 Taurus 3.0.

jwko

Here is a complicated was to do it:: Bring up the number 1 piston to TDC on compression stroke, then aligin your timing marks on the bottom pulley/harmonic balancer to the correct degree of timing on the pointer, remove number one spark plug and put the wire back on, ground the side of the plug, turn ignition in the run position DONT CRANK and slowly turn the distribtor slightly till the plug fires back off, do it again till you get it right at the point it fires then lock the distribtor back down. That should be real close.

Another way, use a vacuum gauge, while turning distribtor adjust JUST to the highest point of vacuum no further.

edit**that is if it has a distributor.