The timing mark should be pointed somewhere close to #1 if your doing it correctly. Run through the firing order quickly. Even the best of us cross a wire. I had 5&7 crossed on thst 69 400 I was working on last week
When compression pushes your finger out of the plug hole, it is normal for the mark not to be right on the timing scale. It will be on it's way around. Turn the crank clockwise standing in front of the car, until the mark is even with the zero on the scale. Look at the rotor. It should be pointing at the #1 plug tower. That #1 tower is the first one clockwise of that little push up window in the cap.
Correct Larry, but it should be somewhere in the vicinity! Lol. Within an inch or so. The mark is 180 degrees from where it needs to be. Some ting wong
Maybe. I'd still like him to do it again, then continue to rotate the crank CW to line up the mark. Then see where the rotor is pointing.
Bear in mind, the OP stated the only thing he did was change the cap and wires. Distributor was not touched
Hypothetical..Say one did happen to move it while trying rotate the distributor cap and was unaware the distributor bolt was somewhat loose.What then should be the procedure??
You said it runs right? Check the firing order and make sure the firing order is correct Start the car and check the timing with a timing light
It did run before I replaced the cap and rotor.but not any longer. My friends coming over with tools. I dont have the right socket to turn over the motor to line up to tdc. After I verify the 1rst cylinder ill start plugging the wires to the distributor . I labled them so should be easier. After it fires up and warms up ill use the timing light to find 2.5 btc according to the book. Is that right?
go by diagram with the engine easiest to figure out. when rotor is pointing at #1 the timing mark on the balancer should be pointing at the engine scale timing marks. at least between 0 and 12 then you good to fire up too much info I am confused