Finding TDC and firing order

[Chlngrcrzy]

Ok this is probably going to be a really dumb question for most here, but i honestly dont know. If my crankshaft (dampener ) marks line up on the timing marker bracket at the 0, is this TDC on #1?

[anlauto]

It's TDC, but it could be on the compression stroke, or exhaust stroke. You got a 50-50 shot of timing it correct.

[72cudamaan]

Put your finger in the #1 spark plug hole. Have someone crank the engine, when the compression pops your finger out then you should be real close to #1 TDC. When only lining up the timing mark you could be at #6 TDC instead.

[bdalehemi]

You can get all high tech if you don't have a remote start switch or helping hand.  Hook up one of them cylinder leak down checkers on no 1 cylinder, set ur crank at TDC.  When ur holding pressure u have hit ur spot.

[Chlngrcrzy]

I had my son stick his thumb over the hole while i turned it by hand. We went around several times just to be certain. The #1 pushes are at the dampner markings TDC with the distributor rotor pointing at the driver wheel and then at the passenger wheel. Does this sound correct or do i have my distributor in wrong? Is that possible? I stopped it this last time with it pointing to the passenger side. 

[anlauto]

I had my son stick his thumb over the hole while i turned it by hand. We went around several times just to be certain. The #1 pushes are at the dampner markings TDC with the distributor rotor pointing at the driver wheel and then at the passenger wheel. Does this sound correct or do i have my distributor in wrong? Is that possible? I stopped it this last time with it pointing to the passenger side. 

Just as you feel the compression with your thumb, the rotor should just be coming around to your #1 plug wire on your cap. It can be 180* out, simply pull the disrtubutor and turn the shaft 180*

[Chlngrcrzy]

This is all new stuff. New distributor, new wires, etc. i have no idea on the cap if the rotor is in the correct spot or not. i am assuming it is in the correct spot or it could be the 180* off. Anyone know roughly what side the rotor should be pointing. Right now it is more or less pointing at the #2.

[anlauto]

What engine ?

It doesn't really matter where the rotor is pointing when at TDC as long as you match the #1 plug wire to where the rotor is pointing...

[Chlngrcrzy]

ok. i didnt know that. I have a 440. i had read somewhere here on a thread that the rotor should be pointing somewhere in the direction of the passenger head light area. i guess thats why i am not sure until i work through this completely the first time.

[anlauto]

ok. i didnt know that. I have a 440. i had read somewhere here on a thread that the rotor should be pointing somewhere in the direction of the passenger head light area. i guess thats why i am not sure until i work through this completely the first time.

Yes on a 440 that is correct.

[cudabob496]

ya, on my 496, TDC will have the distributor rotor pointing at the driver side wheel, or about 4:30

[Chryco Psycho]

I also point the rotor towards the passenger headlight , this make it easier to route the wire as 3 of the 4 wires 2-4-8 will be close to the passenger side & 3-5-7 will be closer to the drivers side

[Chlngrcrzy]

So can i pull out the distributor and turn it and put it back in at any spot and as long as my #1 is over the rotor and i work from it with the proper sequence of wires, it is ok?

[anlauto]

So can i pull out the distributor and turn it and put it back in at any spot and as long as my #1 is over the rotor and i work from it with the proper sequence of wires, it is ok?

Yes...

However to properly adjust the location of the rotor, you would need to move the distributor drive gear in the engine. Not really all that hard if you have a large flat screw driver.

[bdalehemi]

Speaking of all this Rotor button location and what not, has anybody ever routed the plug wires under the intake plenum and up under the headers to just about make them invisible?  I have seen this in an article once but have been unable to find it again.