Finally getting to try and fire my motor.

Made my jumper wire, ran constant 12v to HEI coil labeled "Power" and for some strange reason - No Fire.

I tore the motor down and I know the timing chain is right on, but I'm thinking I may have the distributor in wrong.

It won't catch and just pops/backfires.

Sanity Check - With the engine at TDC, the rotor should be pointing right at the #1 spark plug - correct?

Steve C - RI

Make sure you are on #1 firing order, not #6.

Double check the firing order.

The rotor can point at any direction as long as the #1 wires is on at the same place as the rotor is pointing.

When I set the timing chain, I knew I was at TDC, so I dropped in the distributor with the rotor pointing to #1 cylinder.

Sound right?

Steve C - RI

Make sure you are on #1 firing order, not #6.

Double check the firing order.

The rotor can point at any direction as long as the #1 wires is on at the same place as the rotor is pointing.

How did you adjust the valves? When you are on #1 TDC the intake and exhaust will be closed, at the same time the #6 piston is also TDC but there will be preload on the lifter of the intake or exhaust.

when you spin the motor 360° you will be of firing order #6 and the valves will the closed. At that point there will be a preload on the #1 valves.

It's easy to check this with a solid lifter cam, but you have to be careful on a hyd since you have lifter preload.

Correct on the valve adjust. I followed a tech video and feedback from friends on the order and when the push rods just stop spinning by hand, turn another 1/2 - 3/4 turn on the rocker nuts.

Steve C - RI

How did you adjust the valves? When you are on #1 TDC the intake and exhaust will be closed, at the same time the #6 piston is also TDC but there will be preload on the lifter of the intake or exhaust.

when you spin the motor 360° you will be of firing order #6 and the valves will the closed. At that point there will be a preload on the #1 valves.

It's easy to check this with a solid lifter cam, but you have to be careful on a hyd since you have lifter preload.

If you are sure about the #1 firing order, have someone crank the motor while moving the distributor around to see if it will catch, have the timing light hooked up tp set rough timing when it does catch.

Good luck.

Here is the video I followed:

YouTube- Valve Lash Adjustment Video - Engine Building Car Repair DVD

Steve C - RI

If you are sure about the #1 firing order, have someone crank the motor while moving the distributor around to see if it will catch, have the timing light hooked up tp set rough timing when it does catch.

Good luck.

Rotate distributor CCW 10 or 15 degrees if you're sure you're at #1 TDC. If the distributor is set with rotor pointing at #1 plug you have 0 timing advance. It'll start easier with some advance. Also make sure you're getting fuel. You'd be surprised how long you have to crank to get fuel through the carb on a dry start up.

With the timing chain marks line up and the balancer mark at (or near) zero, you are at TDC on the number one cylinder but it is the exhaust stroke, not the power stroke. That is what these guys are trying to tell you when they are talking about cylinder #6.

So long and short, if at 0 TDC, should I have put the distributor in with the rotor pointing to the #1 cylinder?

Steve C - RI

With the timing chain marks line up and the balancer mark at (or near) zero, you are at TDC on the number one cylinder but it is the exhaust stroke, not the power stroke. That is what these guys are trying to tell you when they are talking about cylinder #6.

Well two things I learned from this:

1. Don't be lazy (Do what you have to do)
2. Stick to the basics

After getting everyone's feedback, I pulled the cap off and pulled out the #1 plug and turned the engine over till it pushed my thumb off.

Low and behold, the rotor was pointing at #6.

I took out the distributor and put it back in pointing around 5:30/6:00 and..... (Drum Roll Please)

Viola!!!! Fired right up and purred!!!!

So thanks again for everyone's feedback and help!!!

Steve C - RI