Timing jumped?

Update..

I took the valve covers off, ran a compression test, 4 cylinders had ZERO compression.

So we took the heads off, found burned valves.

Did a valve job, ended up being $600, not including the gaskets. In total, it was $800 to repair, not to mention having the car towed to the Auto Hobby Shop on base.

After we put it back together, I tried to set the timing but the pointer is missing! Instead, I just advanced the timing until the engine starting pinging, then retarded it just enough to get it to run without knocking.

Long story short, the 800 runs better than she ever has in the year I've owned her. Now she feels like she has power!

That's awesome that you're on the road again!

I do recommend that you make a self pointer in order to fully know your timing to prevent any future issues...

I have to replace my water pump next month, as well as have my radiator rodded/recored, so maybe I'll get a timing cover with a pointer already on it, and just install it since I'll have all that room to work while the shop has my radiator.

Do you think there would be a problem with me using a timing cover from a later model FE? I have a friend whos sitting on a 390 from a 62 Galaxie, said I could strip parts from it if I wanted.

Not a problem at all. Early on the 352 and the 390 shared the same timing marks and pointer.