Hello all! Thanks for the advise on my last post. I was able to get the truck running again. It's great except that I need to time it now. BTW, does anyone know how to tell if the distributor was put in backwards???

Ok, back to the timing...
How do you time a 1988 Dodge D150 truck with a 318/5.2 L engine?
I referred to the repair manual and it tells me to point the timing light in the hold in the bellhousing. WHERE'S THE DARN HOLE??? I can't find it. Is there more than one bellhousing? I only know about bellhousing attached to the transmission. Please Help!!

 

Forget that tranny thing.
The timing marks are on the front drivers side of the engine like normal.

 

Don't know if your manual specified or not, but on an '88 unplug the temp sensor,[not the gauge sender] set the timing,plug it back in.

 

As for knowing if the distributor was put in backwards, unless someone for some strange reason decided to time it that way the truck wont run, infact it should backfire through the intake.

 

Thank you all for the replies. I wasn't sure if I put the distributer in back wards because it was back firing out of the intake. However, this weekend, I made sure I was at top dead center and reset the distributer. It wasn't backwards, just way off timing.
Yes, the manual does state to unplug the temp sensor. Thank you!
I attempted to find the marks where they are normally at. Either there is too much dirt and grim, or they disappeared because I don't see them. I'll have to get dirty and clean it all up so I can find the markings. Last question for you all. Does anyone know what the specs are for the timeing. How much do I advance/retard it? Is it 10 degrees or is that too much? Thanks again! By the way, I got the truck running great for the most part. Two words (after lots of money on unneeded parts)...Pickup Coil

 

Adjust the timing so when you brake torque it,it will just start to ping,then back the timing off about 2 degrees.

 

Thank you! I'll try that.

Now, I am having an issue with the headlight switch. I replaced it because the lights would start to blink off and on after about 20-30 minutes. It worked great, but it started doing it again. It went about 4 months with no problems until now. Is there something else that could be causing this? Causing the switch to fail??? Help!!!

 

Unfortunately that seems to be one of Chryslers design flaws where these trucks are concerned. I had the same issue develope on my truck and I ended up rewiring the head lights with relays which solved the problem.