OK, as you know im building a 305 for a freinds car, he pulled the distributor without marking anything, but also I had the oil pump off and everything else out. What is the correct way of putting the distributor back in and it being set to the right spot for the firing order? Here is what i did. I set #1 piston to TDC. Since the distributor will only fall into the correct spot when it lines up with the teeth on the cam and to oil pump shaft, i kept moving the oil pump shaft till the distributor would fall into place where the rotor was pointing to where the #1 would be on the cap. Is that going to get me started? Also I have an HEI system with the coil in the cap, does the connection for the coil that hangs over the side of the cap point to the drivers or passengers side, thanks again guys!!

 

reply sounds good, i have allways seen the conection side on the drivers side but would prolly work either way if you have clearence. just make sure the rotor is pointed at #1 get your firing order correct double an tripple check firing order an routing of plug wires an you should be close enough to start the car. good luck

 

You have a 50-50 shot at having the distributor in correctly. The other 50 would have it 180 out.

Pull the drivers side valve cover and place #1 on TDC with both intake & exhaust valves closed (for #1 cylinder). Now install the distributor with the rotor pointing to plug #1.

RBob.

 

I know that the #1 is at TDC and it is on the compression stroke (did the old finger check, held my finger over the spark plug hole till i felt pressure and the #1 cylinder was comming back up.) So if the piston is at the end of the compression stroke, and the dist. goes down all the way in , and the rotor is pointing to #1 on the cap, i should have it in the right spot? Thanks!

 

Yes, TDC on the compression stroke is correct.

RBob.

 

you'll probably just have the case where it won't drop all the way down, so use your REALLY LONG screwdriver, and just twist the oil pump slot 'till it's in the right spot. Chances are when cranking it over, you'll have to be ready to twist the distributor.

FWIW I heard in this vizard book i've got, about using a battery, and a bulb, put power into the center of the dist, then check the plug wire prong on the cap with the bulb, twist dist until the light lights up. I never used that trick, but it might be worthwhile...