Timing marks won't stay where they are put

So have you checked the fuel pump ?

set mark. (of what) cam timing , distributor, what year)
all cars and for sure fords have many engines.
name it.
no year, no engien stated, impossible to answer even from god.

Before you pull the starter and have it bench tested put a 12v tester light on the starter leads, I am betting on the starter solenoid

If you have a blown out of radiator water on your attempt to start,positively you have either blown gasket or cracked cylinder head.

Make sure the motor has not been changed the2200 and the 2400 motors look exactly the same

i have the same problem it turns over and its back firing could it be timing

i have a 1988 mazda b2200 and i was sittin still runnin and it was a lil low in water and i was just ab to take off when it cut off. it made steam *** out the hood. the thing is its gettin eletric to the plugs and its gettin gas and i even tried a lil eather and its turnin over it just want crank. do u have a idea wat it could b? im thinkin it jump timeing.

might be an exposed power wire to your lights grounding out. check your headlight wires for this.

check fuel filter and fuel pump. replace if not functioning.

yes, i believe you could put any engine on your pick-up provided it is the rear wheel type set-up and the engine comes with its own tranny. problem is, if changing the engine mounts, tranny mounts, wiring set-up and exhaust system layout would not be of any problem to you. might as well look for the same mazda engine you have as a replacement to ease installation.