Finding TDC

[patrick]

Okay, so I primed my oil pump with the drill/bit method (counter-clockwise for my big block) and rotated the engine at the crank (plugs out) and got oil to both sides!

The bad part is, I couldn't remember nor did I make note of distributor orientation, etc.

Just a couple quick questions; presuming I found true TDC (combustion stroke, not the exhaust stroke), and left the engine that way (including time marks lined up), when I insert the distributor drive gear, does slit-orientation matter? I presume not presuming I put the distributor in correctly?

That leads me to the second question: with the distributor cap off, I look at the rotor and take note of its position. I presume rotor orientation doesn't matter relative to the distributor as long as I make note of its position and make that contact plug #1, then follow the firing order counter-clockwise?

Yes, I know the firing order on the cap. Yes, I know the spark plug numbering system on the block.

Anything I'm missing? I can be such a n00b sometimes!

[72RoadRunnerGTX]

With crankshaft at TDC, factory specs have the distributor drive gear slot running parallel to the camshaft, looking down onto it through the distributor hole. This has the distributor oriented with the vacuum advance unit on top and to the front of the motor. Number one plug wire is then located at roughly the six o’clock position on the cap looking from above. Will the engine run any other way? Sure it will. Find TDC compression stoke, locate where the rotor is pointing, and place number one plug wire there. I had to position my drive gear a tooth off to allow clearance for the aftermarket fuel line/fittings and maintain correct number one plug wire location.

[patrick]

With crankshaft at TDC, factory specs have the distributor drive gear slot running parallel to the camshaft, looking down onto it through the distributor hole. This has the distributor oriented with the vacuum advance unit on top and to the front of the motor. Number one plug wire is then located at roughly the six o’clock position on the cap looking from above. Will the engine run any other way? Sure it will. Find TDC compression stoke, locate where the rotor is pointing, and place number one plug wire there. I had to position my drive gear a tooth off to allow clearance for the aftermarket fuel line/fittings and maintain correct number one plug wire location.

That's the exact information I needed, thanks a bunch!

Yeah, it'll run as is, but I want to put the drive gear "slit" parallel with the cam and the #1 plug at around 6 o'clock just to be "correct" (with the engine at TDC of the compression stroke, that is) since I'm a little anal about things.

[72RoadRunnerGTX]