Yes, pretty much all Ford V6s are balanced with the match pairs of 1/5, 2/6, 3/4
So 1 and 5 are both at TDC at the same time, one on compression stroke one on exhaust stroke
So if crank is on TDC mark and rotor was pointed at #1 but #5 was on compression stroke then its 180deg off, if you lift the distributor and spin it 180deg(to #5) then reinstall you would have correct timing back
So without checking valves or compression you have a 50/50 chance of installing distributor correctly, or if "the glass is half empty", a 50/50 chance of installing it wrong, lol.
2.9l firing order is 1 4 2 5 3 6
You can get the match sets for any engine from the firing order, just split it in half and put one half above the other
1 4 2
5 3 6
So the match sets are 1/5 4/3 2/6
So each pair is at TDC at the same time, 60deg apart in a V6, this balances the rotational mass
For a 302 V8 firing order is 1 5 4 2 6 3 7 8
1 5 4 2
6 3 7 8
So 1/6, 5/3, 4/7, 2/8 are the matched pairs that balance the engine, so each pair is at TDC at the same time
Firing order on the 302 HO is 1 3 7 2 6 5 4 8 so different but........
1 3 7 2
6 5 4 8
Same matched pairs as the regular 302 but uses a different cam so firing order is changed but not the match pairs
So 1 and 6 on either V8 would be 180deg apart on the distributor, one on compression stroke one on exhaust stroke
And each pair is 45deg apart on a V8
Same thing works with chevy, dodge, ect................... engines, also I4, I6, V10, V12 engines
It's also why the waste spark coil packs are wired on the V6 the way they are
[3 4]
[2 6]
[1 5]
front
The matched pairs
Because 1 and 5 are both at TDC at the same time both spark plugs fire at the same time, one spark is "wasted" on the exhaust stroke
Same for 2/6 and 3/4