i posted about glowing headers a couple of days ago. due to trouble shooting various area's i figure that the timing is the problem. so i'm trying everything in my power to get the timing figured out. finally found true tdc by putting a tube and fitting into the #1 spark plug hole and turning crank by hand. air blows out on compression and starts to suck in fluid when piston starts going down again. removed valve cover to ensure both valves are closed. BAM i got TDC. so i'm trying everything to get the distributer to go in facing #1 plug. but i notice that the distributer will only drop completely in at 2 points, because of the damned oil pump.

so my question is.

1. does it matter where the distributer is pointing if i put the cap on so it's starting on the #1 wire?
2. how many degrees of retarded timing will it take to cause the headers to glow??
3. is it possible to adjust the oil pump without dropping the pan?
4. any suggestions.

 

The distributor will "work" anywhere, as long as the plug wires match where the rotor is. But personally I hate having it anywhere but the factory place.

Use a long screwdriver to turn the pump when the dist is out.

I post the points you should align the dist and pump shaft and all every now and then; do a search on my user ID for the last 3 months in this forum only to save time, look for "CCW", you should be able to find it.