Okay, I did something stupid. I have the head off my '54 235 getting it worked on. While it is off I have been fixing leaks with the motor in the truck. It was leaking from the front timing cover and the rear main seal. I removed the timing cover, the oil pan, and loosened the main bearings to lower the crank to get a new seal in. Tonight I was looking at the timing gears and noticed that I had lowered the crank low enough to disengage the gears. I noticed the one small dot on the crank gear, but the only mark I notice on the cam gear is a rather large round dot in a valley of the cam gear. Is this the correct mark? As is said, I have the head off and can find TDC on the #1 cylinder easy enough. I also have the lifter cover off. Can anyone give me a good idea of how to line everything up if these marks are not the right ones.
Also, I have a sneaky pete and am getting ready to put in the rope rear main seal. The previous owner had the neoprene type in and I am assuming this is why it was leaking. I have read some threads that say to lube the top seal with vasaline before attempting. Other say don't lube it. I don't have the crank down very far in the rear. Should I lube it before I try or not? Any other advice on getting the top seal in would be appreciated.
Thanks