Can you put a distributor in backwards?
no. It only fits one way. The drive on the bottom can be 180* out and can be switched easily. The location of #1 can be in a different place depending on the distributor model.
Where should the distributor rotor point at TDC?
The rotor button should be pointing to the number 1 position on the distributor cap when the number 1 piston is at top dead center (on the compression stroke). The pistons come up two times during the combustion cycle.
How do you tell if your distributor is 180 degrees out?
Pull the #1,2 valve cover gasket. Rotate the engine CLOCKWISE and watch the #1 intake rocker. When it opens and then closes, you are about 180 degrees from TDC on the crank.
How to find the piston Stop gauge ( TDC )?
Piston Stop Gauge A more accurate way to locate (TDC) is by using a piston stop tool. Screw the tool into the #1 spark plug hole by hand; and then slowly rotate the crankshaft by hand until the piston come up against the stop.
How can you tell if a spark plug is at TDC?
You’ll be sucking air into and out of the spark plug hole for each travel of the piston. If you have the timing cover off, the easiest way to tell if you have it at TDC on #1 cylinder for the compression stroke is to align the timing marks on the timing chain gears. (At least that’s the way you’d do it for a SBC/BBC.)
Where are the 1 and 6 pistons located?
Excellent question, at present both pistons (1 and 6) are at Top Dead Centre. You will probably have noted this from the zero timing mark on the harmonic balancer (I assume this is fitted!). Mate, you need to drop the pushrods into location for 1 and 6.
Can a distributor be installed on an engine?
The distributor cap and rotor can only fit one way onto the distributor. If the distributor remained in the engine, there is no problem. If you remove the distributor from the engine and do not mark its position, then you crank the engine until #1piston is at Top Dead Center, then install the the distributor.