Hello, I've read through a good 20 posts but still not sure...I'm about to remove the distributer (changing intake, w pump, timing chain, cam and lifters). If the balancer is at the 0 mark and the rotor is pointing to number 1 I'm at TDC for #1 right? I need to be looking at the valves if I think something is out of whack (didn't set to TDC before dismantling, don't trust balancer etc)?
Thanks,Jon

 

if both valves are closed and the pointer is at 0 then you are where you need to be

 

Timing mark on the balancer can be at zero and #1 and #6 are at TDC. The position of the valves determines which one is on the compression stroke and which one is on the exhaust stroke. Theoretically, you can have the rotor pointed anywhere as long as the plug wires are installed to fire at the proper time.

After dropping in the distributor and the engine doesn't want to fire, pull the distributor back out and turn it 180*.

You can also pull the #1 plug. Disconnect the distributor so the engine won't fire. Put you thumb over the plug hole and have someone bump the engine over. You'll hear and feel the rush or air as the piston comes up on the compression stroke. Watch the timing mark until it's at zero just after you feel the rush of air. Then look to see where the rotor is pointed in the distributor. If it's not pointing to the #1 plug wire, the engine won't fire.

 

Sorry, what I'm getting at is, for a running engine, when the balancer is at 0 and the rotor is at #1 does this not indicate that #1 is at compression? I was wanting to leave it at TDC #1 before removing the timing chain cover. No problem looking at the valves after the fact. Just trying to educate myself. Thanks.

 

Providing you don't rotate the engine, positioning the balancer at zero with the rotor pointing at #1 plug wire will get you back to close enough. The balancer at zero just means the piston is at TDC. The timing for the distributor is wherever you have your base timing set. The rotor will be pointed directly at the cap terminal at your base timing.

If you have your base timing set to 10* BTDC then when the balancer is at zero, the rotor has already gone 5* past the terminal in the cap.

 

OK. got it Thanks,
Jon