FORDS SUCK

[carmudgeon]

Just the basics. Which you've already done. Run 1 up on compression, line up the distributor where you want 1 to be. Follow it around each 90⁰ crank rotation for the next TDC you find. Wire it up. Etc... Had to do that for a Deutz gas I had no books on. 302s have their own firing order. Some people cam them for 351 firing order. Following TDC while eyeballing the valves makes it 100% positive which one is at compression TDC. No marks that line up with the pointer???? On that I'm stumped.

[Russeljfinch]

Sure your cam is correctly installed? As you know timing is the relationship with crank to cam.
You said it was at TDC how did you know without the damper mark ? If you did have it at tdc then mark the damper at that point.

[Ridendrty]

When i get pissed off i take a break and come back another day. Sometimes you wake up the next day with a good idea. Good luck man👊

[BareRoseGarage]

Just talked to you so I won't let the cat out of the bag, but if its any help to share that Explorer of mine? It's the same exact same way. If I do it by the book it's wrong, because the 1994 4.0 V6 does the same freakin' thing! Fords keep you on your damn toes, that's for and Henry doesn't like you playing with his lol.

[UnityMotorSportsGarage]

The outer ring on the balancer has slipped... OR it has the wrong timing tab. Set the timing with a vacuum gauge.. to get highest vacuum at idle... Does the motor have a vibration?

[approachingtarget.]

You have a internal problem. Its not something as simple as a bolt on or tune up. Timing chain, screwed up timing gear on distributor, cam installed wrong.
Do a compression test, then throw a vacuum Guage on and find most manifold vacuum. Set timing on vacuum. See if the timing jumps around or cuts off. Take a individual temp reading on each primary tube. You will find the exact problem area.