1965 289 ford

My '65 Amer. Skier has a 289 Interceptor. I replaced the points, condenser, plugs wires and thought I needed to adjust the valve lash. I did so using several different methods as per this site and Ford sites. When the lash was zero at TDC and when the exhaust valve was coming up/ intake valve almost down plus 1/2 turn methods were used I had no compression when the engine was turned over. It was as if all the spark plugs were removed. So I placed each cylinder at TDC and adjusted to .11" clearance. This gave me compression but the old girl was backfiring so I switched the plug wires 180 with no response. The engine ran at partial throttle before I messed with it but did not want to idle. Before I messed with the valve lash there was considerable lash at TDC. Please help me! Thanks, John.

Tim, good question. After I posted, I went back out to the boat and replaced the plug wires as they were before which gives a firing order of 1275648 and she fired right up and ran well. This is with .11 clearance at TDC. All the books show a firing order of 15426378. I am confused. Do you think this engine may have solid lifters? Thanks, John.

My 289 is a '65 vintage as well with a solid lifter and cam set-up. Woody at CC instructed me to set valve lash at 20 thousandths after warm-up.