timing

Can someone tell me how to check the timing on a 1984 2.8 v6. The motor won't start so I can't use a timing light. Sometimes it will backfire through the carb Thanks

I'm assuming you want to know how to get the distributor in right since you say it's backfiring and you can't check it with a timing light. This should cover it.
http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/12/a9/ac/0900823d8012a9ac/repairInfoPages.htm

turn the distributor little by little until it WILL start, then use a timing gun.
 
time it immediately after you get it running, if you let it run for 3~4 minutes with the timing off you could make things very hot under the hood.  exhaust manifolds like to glow red if the timing is off...  ;)