As long as any one of the distributor cap towers line up with the rotor as the points break with the #1 cylinder on the top of the compression stroke, that can be used as the #1 cylinder position. To find top dead center of the compression stroke on #1, watch the valve action on the #6 cylinder. Turn the engine clockwise from the front with the spark plugs removed and the valve cover off, and watch the last valve in line, the #6 exhaust valve. The valve will open, then begin to close. As it approaches the fully-closed position, the intake will begin to open. (next valve in line toward the front). At this point, both the #1 and #6 pistons will be at top dead center, with #1 on compression, ready to fire the spark plug, and the #6 at the top of the exhaust stroke. Insert the distributor into the engine with the rotor pointing toward the sheet metal cover over the valve lifters, and turn the housing clockwise until the points close. Turn the housing back counterclockwise until the points barely open, and lock the housing down in that position. The distributor rotor should be pointed toward one of the cap towers. Use that one for the #1 plug wire, and follow it clockwise with the other wires, 5,3,6,2,4. Install the plugs, hook up the wires in the right order, and crank up! You can fine-tune the timing by slight movements of the distributor housing after the engine warms up.
Jerry
