Ignition timing

[71chmark]

I have all the wires off and I have had the distributer and gear out (although I think I put it back like it was).  I plan on using a compression gage on #1 cylinder and hand crank the 440 until the pressure starts (this should be top dead center?) to bleed off and then make sure the rotor is pointing to the #1 cylinder.  Does this sound right?  I would also like to rotate the engine while priming.  Does the crank go around twice for a complete cycle?   I guess I'm just asking for some advice on how to make sure my distributor and spark plug wires are right when I go to fire it up soon.  On the pic please ignore the writing on the intake, it is a lie.

[Chryco Psycho]

yes you are right , rotate the engine until you get compression on #1 cylinder keep rotating the engine until the timing mark on the damper is near to 0* , generally I set #8 at 9 o clock looking over the passenger fender with #1 @ 10 ish , you can move the dist drive into any position to accomodate this . the crank rotates 2 full turn for each full cycle to fire all 8 cylinders & turn the cam 1 full rotation

[71chmark]

I can have the distributor installed any which way as long as the rotor points to #1 wire at TDC and the firing order is correct?  Thank you.

[CUDA JAS]

I can have the distributor installed any which way as long as the rotor points to #1 wire at TDC and the firing order is correct?  Thank you.

Correct!

[71chmark]

yes you are right , rotate the engine until you get compression on #1 cylinder keep rotating the engine until the timing mark on the damper is near to 0* , generally I set #8 at 9 o clock looking over the passenger fender with #1 @ 10 ish , you can move the dist drive into any position to accomodate this . the crank rotates 2 full turn for each full cycle to fire all 8 cylinders & turn the cam 1 full rotation

Do you mean the rotor is pointing to the passenger side fender or do you mean when you are looking at the distributor facing the passenger side fender and the rotor pointing at the windshield when at TDC?  Where should set the adjustment after I seat the distributor?  Meaning when I grab the vacuum advance and spin it back and forth? Seems like a lot of adjustment. I can spin it until the vacuum advance hits something in either direction.

[Chryco Psycho]

rotate the engine to TDC firing #1 cylinder , actually around 20* before TDC & line up the reluctor tab with the pick up coil & where the rotor is pointing is #1 wire terminal

[Aussie Challenger]

  A simple trick I learned years ago, stick a plastic cap into the spark plug hole, new motors used to come with these plugs installed. Turn the motor over by hand in the direction of rotation and the plug will "pop" out, you then know that you are on the compression stroke for No.1.