Is this correct way to set TDC? I have number1 piston all the way to the top and the cam gears are dot to dot...6 top and 12 bottom.

What I dont know if its on the compression stoke or exhaust..does it really matter? any time I roll the motor over and get the keyway on the crank snout at 2 oclock and the cam dowel pin at 3 oclock the piston comes to the top...so I assume Im right.

you can see in the picture

atleast thats what it say on theComp timing set instructions.

 

Yes, you have it. The cam is properly timed.

FWIW, that position is probably firing on #6, but it doesn't matter. When you install the distributor, you can adjust as necessary to get the cam/valves in the correct position.

 

why would that be?...comp timing instruction that came with the timing set says to set it up that way...

why you say Im on #6? should it be top to top?

how would I adjust as necessary to get the cam/valves in the correct postion..I dont understand what you mean

 

Dot-to-dot is #6 firing. That's a perfectly right way to put it together though, even though it's NOT #1 firing; in fact it's better than trying to line it up at #1 firing, because it's easier to see and get right.

Both dots at 12:00 is #1 firing.

Put it together dot-to-dot, and then rotate the crank EXACTLY one complete revolution. The dots will then both be at 12:00, and it will be at #1 firing (or more accurately, #1 TDC.... #1 firing should be a few degrees before that).

Or, if you feel like living dangerously, just leave it at #6 firing, and put the dist in at that position. Either way you can easily enough get it set up right.

 

yea, you've got the cam and cranked lined up to each other.

The fact that you're not on #1 firing isn't used yet because:

you can't fire up the car yet, you still have to set your lash right? So you put on your timing chain cover, then go and lash your valves, meaning you rotate the engine over by hand like 10 times. By this time you have no idea where those pesky dots are anymore. So you stick your little pinky in the #1 plug hole and rotate it over till you feel the puff of air. Apparently your dots will be both pointing to 12 o'clock, but I never had the curiosity to pull my cover off again to check. Anyway, then you set up your dist.
clear as mud?