New distributor - how do you figure out where to put the initial point?

[Stallion]

Because of one thing or another, the old distributor, cap, and rotor are no longer on the engine and the position of the old distributor was not marked. Now it's time to put on the new distributor on the engine and I have no way of telling where to put the initial point.

Without knowing the prior distributor and rotor's placement how am I supposed to put in the new distributor correctly?

Thank you.

 

[Bobsvette]

Looks like your going to have to start off from square one. put number 1 cylinder to top dead center and line up the timing marks on your timing chain gears then set the rotor to the number one position on the dist.

 

[JohnZ]

1. Set the engine at #1 TDC (on the compression stroke - both valves closed on #1, rocker arms parallel); if they're not parallel, you're on #6 TDC - turn the crank one more revolution to get to #1 TDC.

2. Turn the crank slightly to align the timing index line on the balancer with your desired initial timing on the tab (10*, for example).

3. Mark the position of the cap's #1 wire tower on the distributor base and remove the cap.

4. Install the distributor with the housing and vacuum advance can in the correct orientation, with the rotor pointing at the mark you made on the distributor base when the distributor is fully seated (don't forget the little round gasket between the distributor flange and the intake manifold).

5. Snug the hold-down bolt and you'll be ready to fire it up - put a timing light on it and tweak the initial timing to exactly what you want - it'll be within a degree or two from the preceding process.

 

[goingballistic]

If you do what JohnZ says that will work. Align the number one position on the distributor to the 10 oclock position. 10 oclock as in standing on the engine looking toward the front of the car, so slide it in about 9 - 9:30 and the gears, as they mesh to the cam, will align the number one to the 10 clock position.

 

[RUSS O'BLENES]

1. Set the engine at #1 TDC (on the compression stroke - both valves closed on #1, rocker arms parallel); if they're not parallel, you're on #6 TDC - turn the crank one more revolution to get to #1 TDC.

2. Turn the crank slightly to align the timing index line on the balancer with your desired initial timing on the tab (10*, for example).

3. Mark the position of the cap's #1 wire tower on the distributor base and remove the cap.

4. Install the distributor with the housing and vacuum advance can in the correct orientation, with the rotor pointing at the mark you made on the distributor base when the distributor is fully seated (don't forget the little round gasket between the distributor flange and the intake manifold).

5. Snug the hold-down bolt and you'll be ready to fire it up - put a timing light on it and tweak the initial timing to exactly what you want - it'll be within a degree or two from the preceding process.

When you put the distributor in following this well described process, you will have to either bump the engine over with the starter or turn the oil pump shaft to line up with the distributor shaft so the distributor will drop all the way down. Good luck. Russ