Where should I position the distributor cab for initial timing to start my car during start up, so that it will crank on the first try. I dont want to be turning the distributor while trying to get the engine to start. Please give me a good reference point. The camshaft and crankshaft is already set to TDC.... 12 o'clock crank, 12 o'clock camshaft...

 

I would try around 10. But I wouldn't think you would have any trouble around 12. Give it a try, let us know what happens.

 

if you set the gear dots straight up it's set to fire on #1 so pint the rotor to #1. getting ti to fire without moving the distributor even when everything is right is being a little optomistic i believe.

 

point the rotor to #1 like ede says and put a timing light on it, two or three cranks should tell you how far you're off

 

Well, your car might be a different set up than mine, I'm unfamiliar with the ignition set ups. Mine is a non HEI set up - no coil under the cap. What I did: Get the engine set on #1TDC. The timing mark has to be aligned with 0 (the largest notch out of the timing tab). Once you have it at #1TDC, hopefully the distributor will drop right in - it should as long as you're on #1TDC and you have the rotor correctlypositioned. The distributor will be able to go in 2 ways: with the rotor on #1 or #6 on the cap. Make sure you're on #1 on the cap by doing a visual. As long as you have the rotor on #1, the firing order correct, the engine on #1TDC and the valves adjusted correctly (not too tight) the engine will start on the first try. Good luck.

 

to use thunders method you need to make sure it's at #1 compression or there's a 50/50 chance it's at #1 fireing, could be at #6. if you have both dots straight up it's at #1. also the distributor maynot drop right in because of the driveshaft to the oil pump. you can position it with a long screwdriver.