how do you bring the #1 cylinder on a 305 TPI (LB9) to top dead center? I am thinking when i replaced my distributor i was off by one toothe on the gears...which could be why it has 60% power and runs like crap when the EST is unplugged wheni try to time it.

You can't really be just one tooth off on the dist, the amount of rotation of the housing more than accounts for one tooth. You did set the timing using a light, right? Now if you did get it in one off, but turned the outer part to where you thought it belonged, then your timing is off. Just check it with a light.

what could be causing the car to run terribly then when i unplug the EST? I cant properly time it since it wont stay running when the EST is unplugged

How is it running terribly? you need to give some symptoms like backfiring out of the intake or exhaust...

If its starting you have to be close...

well it barely stays running, the idle is all over the place between 100-700, you can hear some sort of knocking or the piston slapping. it sounds like its about to blow up lol

I put a small metal rod or something that wont melt down in Cyl one wraped with tissue and cranked the motor till the rod came up to the very top and shot out the tissue. "be careful not to suck the tissue down into the block" It sounds like you have your Dizzy 180degrees off, just a tooth wont cause that much power loss on a N/A motor.

If i was off by 180 degrees wouldnt the motor run like crap all the time? it only runs poorly when the EST is unplugged when its plugged in it idles fine, it just gets maybe 70% of the power....also, i was really careful when reinstalling the distributor, i dont think i could of put it in backwards, maybe off by a tooth or two but definitely not backwards

how can u turn the motor to bring the cylinder to TDC without firing it up or using the crank it for a second method....is there a way to turn the motor by hand?

nope it will run pretty close to what your describing, I had replaced my dizzy and didnt know it could go in *** backwards. Drove around just fine, noticed i was missing some power, but when i stomped on it, it really showed how much i lost. If your having to unplug your EST to make this issue arise it really does sound like a timing issue. Cant hurt to play with the dizzy some, sometimes the shaft clip which keeps it from moving, gets loose and will spin the dizzy internals.


I used a big torque bar, and a 1/2 drive + socket on the harmonic balancer and just cranked that huge bolt, it spun the motor no prob.

thanks a lot rough, ill take a look at it tomorrow and let you guys know what the deal is...im still having a real hard time believing i put the distributor in backwards considering i was really careful with which way the rotor on top was facing when i put it in but who knows, like u said can;t hurt to look at it....thanks again and ill keep you guys updated...

Exactly what I thought, out of the box, lined them up perfectly and I thought everything was gravy, how i got it way backwards still is a mystery to me.