Be sure you're following the right firing order, 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 clockwise as you look at the top of the distributor. To find the compression stroke on #1 cylinder, pull the #1 spark plug, hold your thumb over the hole, and have someone "bump" the starter over a bit at a time. When you get a puff of compression, check to see that the distributor rotor is pointing toward the #1 plug wire in the distributor cap. To find top dead center when the piston tops out in the cylinder, use a piece of soft copper wire in the spark plug hole, and gently roll the engine forward until you can feel the piston top out and start back down. Doin't stick something stiff like a screwdriver down the plug hole! Once you have TDC located, you can make some sort of a mark on the timing cover, or make a timing pointer out of stiff wire and bolt it on.
Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 10/24/2010 5:30 PM.
