by 70_F100 on Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:47 pm
Seems that every time someone can't get an engine to fire after having the distributor out, everybody thinks it's 180 degrees out.
Most likely, the distributor is one tooth off (maybe two), one way or the other. It's hard to get it to fall into place exactly right, as the distributor shaft has to rotate as it engages with the cam gear, and 99 times out of 100, the oil pump drive is not aligned correctly with the recess in the distributor shaft.
Go back to TDC on #1.
Look at the position of the rotor in relationship to #1 on the cap.
If it's not almost dead on, you've probably missed the timing on the distributor.
Pull the distributor back out, and turn the distributor one tooth in the direction it needs to go to line up.
It may not slip all the way down, because it probably won't be aligned with the oil pump driveshaft. To correct this, just bump the starter gently (or turn the crank by hand) and it should line up the shaft and drop right into place.
If you get it to run, and you can't get the distributor to turn far enough to get the timing right, you've still got it at least one tooth off. Repeat this operation and get everything in its proper place rather than moving the wires on the cap. You'll be much happier with the results.
Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools talk because they have to say something.--Plato
That's not an oil leak
That's SWEAT from all that HORSEPOWER!! 