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rsavage · 02-23-2012, 08:10 AM

The above diagram is for an HEI distributor where there is no "points adjustment door" and number 1 is at the 5:30 position as you look back at the distributor. If you have a points distributor, Number 1 is the first one on the cap to the left of the point adjusting door as you are standing in front of the truck looking at the distributor on a points distributor.
Here is a diagram for a points distributor and there is an article that it is from that will help you for either a points or HEI distributor:
http://www.classiccarauto.com/impala...istributor.png

Here is the article:
http://www.classiccarauto.com/impala...ng_order.shtml

If you have the valve cover off, click the engine over until the timing mark on the crank balancer lines up with the 0 TDC mark on the timing tab on the timing chain cover. Look at and feel both rocker arms for the number 1 cylinder - both should be fully up with no pressure on them. The piston is at the top on both the compression stroke (what you want) and the exhaust stroke (the exhaust valve would be open What you don't want). If your distributor is in correctly, the rotor should be pointing at the number 1 on the cap. Your vacuum advance if it is a points distributor should be pointing at about 8:00 o'clock for initial starting.

If your rotor (assuming a points distributor) is pointing at 1:00 o'clock instead of 7:00 - 7:30 it is one of two things - you were on the exhaust stroke not the compression or your distributor was put in 180 degrees off.

02-23-2012, 08:10 AM	#22
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: 72 Chevy k20 350 won't start The above diagram is for an HEI distributor where there is no "points adjustment door" and number 1 is at the 5:30 position as you look back at the distributor. If you have a points distributor, Number 1 is the first one on the cap to the left of the point adjusting door as you are standing in front of the truck looking at the distributor on a points distributor. Here is a diagram for a points distributor and there is an article that it is from that will help you for either a points or HEI distributor: http://www.classiccarauto.com/impala...istributor.png Here is the article: http://www.classiccarauto.com/impala...ng_order.shtml If you have the valve cover off, click the engine over until the timing mark on the crank balancer lines up with the 0 TDC mark on the timing tab on the timing chain cover. Look at and feel both rocker arms for the number 1 cylinder - both should be fully up with no pressure on them. The piston is at the top on both the compression stroke (what you want) and the exhaust stroke (the exhaust valve would be open What you don't want). If your distributor is in correctly, the rotor should be pointing at the number 1 on the cap. Your vacuum advance if it is a points distributor should be pointing at about 8:00 o'clock for initial starting. If your rotor (assuming a points distributor) is pointing at 1:00 o'clock instead of 7:00 - 7:30 it is one of two things - you were on the exhaust stroke not the compression or your distributor was put in 180 degrees off. __________________ 1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7 Last edited by rsavage; 02-23-2012 at 08:17 AM.