Hey, everywhere i look people are saying you need to put your #1 cylinder at tdc when you remove your distributor (assuming you are putting a new one in). In my case, i need to remove it for a few minutes while i take off the old intake manifold and put a new intake on. Do i need to find tdc if i just mark where it is right now and put the distributor back how it was before?

 

You just want to find a way to make sure it goes in pointing at the same spot it comes out. So whether its pointing straight forward, back, at a certain intake bolt etc.

This will make sure youre not a tooth off when you put it back in, obviously it will still need re-timed afterwards though

 

ok thanks.. so i will make a mark on the side of the distributor and the block lining up.

 

Just for clarity, i was talking about the rotor inside the cap, that is what has to be aligned. But marking the distributor to the block should get the timing real close putting it back in. Hope that makes sense.

 

What's important is maintaining the rotors alignment within the distributor, you can "clock" the distributor body in any position you like.

 

ok.. so if i tape the rotor to the distrubutor body so that it doesnt move at all, i should be good?

 

The cap can only be put on the distributor 1 way. So make sure you're on the compression stroke at tdc and the rotor will be pointing at #1. Then mark the distributor and the block so it's in the same spot when it goes back in, and the rotor pointing at #1

 

And you can't tape it because it's turns when pulling the distributor out and putting it in. So just twist and push down on the rotor when putting the distributor back in. If it's not pointed at 1, then pull it out and twist the rotor back 1 tooth

 

What ever position the dist is in when you remove it remember that it is important to mark the rotor's location to the dist body and the position of the dist body to the block. (Since you are replacing the manifold Mark the position of the Vac advance to something you aren't going to remove; maybe take a picture) Then....

Note where the rotor is pointing when the dist comes out; it will move slightly. As you re-install it you will need to start with it there as it will rotate drops back and bottoms onto the block.

Do not rotate the crankshaft while the dist is out!

When you put it back in you should be able to turn the dist body back to the position marked for the dist/block and the rotor should point to the position marked for the dist/rotor. If this aligns correctly then snug the hold-down and start her up. Re-time the engine and enjoy....

Good luck with your project!