how should the valves be aligned at TDC on piston 1. should any of the other valves be open and closed on the same side or should they appear to be lined up with all of them appearing closed? If you need a detailed explanation just let me know what you need to know. Motor is a 305

 

The other valves will be in all kinds of positions both times that #1 is at TDC.

 

Its been a while since ive had the engine apart the only thing i remeber is on one of the tdc strokes either the 6 or 1 the driver side apeared to be all lined up while the other side had some up and some down at least a noticeable amount which should the tdc on piston 1 look like all apearing lined up or the other ones abvious they are open and closed

 

You ONLY look at the valves for cylinder #1. What the other valves on that bank, or the other bank, look like is irrelevant.

To be precise, you should be watching the valves as you are approaching TDC - neither should be moving as the timing mark approaches the timing tab. At TDC, it could appear that both valves are closed when in fact the exhaust has just closed and the intake is about to open - that's why it's important to watch them as you turn the engine over to TDC for the #1 firing position.

 

What five7kid said. Remember there are TWO Top Dead Centers for each cylinder. TDC of the compression stroke (both valves closed for a considerable period both before and after TDC) and TDC of the exhaust stroke (the "overlap" period of the cam when both valves are still slightly off their seats- exhaust almost closed, intake just begun to open).

 

On my 305 TPI, when in tdc piston 1, the following valves are close:

exhaust 1,3,4,8
intake: 1,2,5,7


When tdc piston 6:

exhaust: 2,5,6,7
intake: 3,4,6,8