timing and running trouble

[89broncobuc]

i have an 89 bronco xlt with a 302 4x4.. this is my first ford that i wanted to play with. It is a wiring nightmare.. I know this and im diagnosing the problems one by one. todays issue was. it would start but would run really rough trying to keep idle and the drivers side manifold would puff smoke as if not sealed. My roommate is a little more mechanically enclined than i am to he loosened the distributer to check the timing. turns out it was backwards.. i mean 180+ degrees off. we got it turned around the right way and now the passenger side manifold smokes like a chimmney. drivers side is solid now. he says the timing is all over the place and thinks their might be other running problems??. im no expert so im turning to you guys for help before i go spending lots of money in a shop. also I noticed that when removing the new plugs i installed #3 and #4 looked as if they were not firing.. wet with gas but still clean and new. 1 and 2 were charred and black like a functioning plug would be. drivers side 5 and 7 looked new and 6 and 8 were charred like the others. theses are new wires bought with the plugs. cap and rotor are new also. I could use a timing expert on this i think or a DIY guide in doing so. i appreciate any help you guys can give thanks

Danny

Hinesville, GA

 

[BroncoJoe19]

timing is elecltronically controlled by the computer. PCM. Before setting the base timing, one must pull to disconnect the SPOUT connector.

setting timing

Here is an excellent writeup for doing an ignition upgrade, tuneup, and setting timing.

FullSizeBronco.com - 78 - 96 Ford Bronco offroad club, forums, tech, installs

 

[89broncobuc]

timing is elecltronically controlled by the computer. PCM. Before setting the base timing, one must pull to disconnect the SPOUT connector.
setting timing

Here is an excellent writeup for doing an ignition upgrade, tuneup, and setting timing.

FullSizeBronco.com - 78 - 96 Ford Bronco offroad club, forums, tech, installs

yeah only down side to that is.. there are NO marks on the dampener.. no scratches no paint no nothing.. there is that one groove though.. im not entirely sure the significance of that though when it comes to timing the engine.

 

[Justshootme84]

Be sure you have the correct firing order. Might want to pull each wire, and check that it's getting spark since you said it looks as if some are not firing. Get the no.1 cylinder to TDC (top dead center), and see if the rotor is pointing to the no.1 plug wire on the cap. It sounds as if you got a couple wires out of sequence, or perhaps one hole off on the cap. JSM84

FIRING ORDER 1994 and earlier 5.0L:

1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8

Counter-clockwise from no.1 on the cap.