how do u check timing on an el ghia v8? people tell me that theres plugs under the dash that u must dissconnect.

Hmmm... sorta

The engine needs to be put into the diagnostic mode of operation - check out the Fordmods doco on EEC-V in the doco section. Yes, this does involve the plug under your dash, near the fuses/relays.

When the revs increase a few hundred RPM in diag mode, EEC will fix the timing, allowing you to check with a timing light. If you fail to put the engine into this diagnostic mode, EEC will be changing the timing almost constantly - making it very tough to get a proper reading.

That help?

Take the bbq plate off the engine, and the loosen the bolt that is sitting in the middle of the distributor cap. Then use the timing gun on the on the timing plate that sits in front of the belt and you'll be able to read the timing by seeing a white mark on the belt that indicates where the timing is set. To advance timing turn the dizzy to the left and to retard timing turn it to the right (i think). Pretty sure base timing on these cars are 30, so have fun. Oh and you gotta do it while the car is running and in diagnostic mode!!! (So the belts turn over

Hope that helps a little

OK,
You need to first bridge the two pins (upper and lower) on the left of the diagnostic plug in the fuse panel.
Connect up your timing light.
Start the engine, it will rev up for about 15 seconds or so then drop back down to idle speed then it will rev up again for about 10 seconds or so.
After it has dropped back down to a lower rev for the second time, this is the time to adjust the timing.
Clockwise is advance, anti clockwise is retard.
13mm socket will do for the distributer clamp bolt.
The timing that you are setting is total advance timing.
To finish, turn engine off and remove the bridging wire.
You have 2 minutes to do this as the engine will stay in diagnostic mode for 2 minutes only.
Mine is running at 34 degrees total advance, and I do have to run 98 octane for this tune.