Its Ben a while since I put in a distributor and I think I put the last one in wrong so I wanted some help with a refresher. I tried searching for distributor install and a few other things but came up empty. If I remember correctly I set the timing on top center for the mark on the balancer and block, and put the distributor in with the rotor pointing toward cylinder 1. Is that basically it or am I missing something else? And how would I know if it was installed a tooth or more off to one side?

 

You are correct. But remember TDC mark on the crank can be TDC for number 6 or number 1. You can take off your valve cover, (driver side) and look to see when the 2 rocker arms for number 1 cylinder stop moving and your almost at TDC. That would be the right TDC for number 1. Another way is to take out spark plug number on, stuff a paper towel or rag in the spark plug hole and look to see when it pops off. ( this doesnt always work) and the valve cover takes about 3-5 mins to get off correctly w hand tools.
BTW remember the Dizzy has to match the oil pump, it has a drive tab for them to mate up. The dizzy should just fall into place, no forcing. Remember to look at the mounting base to make sure its fully seated. (back of the intake mannifold where the dizzy bolts down). Worse comes to worse, the oil tab on the dizzy, and the drive inisde the block is not at the correct mating spot, you can take a large flat screw driver, stick it in the dizzy hole and turn the pump shaft inside the block. You need to use one around the size/ lenght of the dizzy.

If you want to know about being a tooth off, look at the dizzy cap outside, see where the tower is for number one wire on the cap. The rotor should be RIGHT there, if not on it. Also the rotor should be pointed around number 3-5 cylinder (some where in that range, the actual cylinder). That can vary car to car, because of the timing chain.

Other than than that, you seem to have everything there.
OH btw remember you have to turn your dizzy as your starting the car, sometimes its to advance or retarted and it wont start. ( you will hear it sputtering trying to start when u get close)

Sorry for the long winded post, but that should cover all the normal goof ups and questions most ppl would have.

 

Also, as your putting the dizzy in, the rotor will turn because of the gears on the cam and dizzy meshing, so you will have line it up "before" you drop it in. As you drop it, it will turn towards the correct possition. (for me normally i point it around cylinder 3\5 area, and let it slide down, when it finally seats it normally turn and points to number 1.