so i was in the process of removing my intake manifold today and when i went to the can my buddy decided to remove the dizzy without marking everything down so it will be easier to install. how do i reinstall my dizzy using a compression gauge?

 

Pull the #1 spark plug, and spin the engine clockwise, as viewed from the front, and hold your finger over the hole. You'll know when it hits the compression stroke.
When the piston reaches the top of its travel, you will be at Top Dead Center on #1.
Then simply reinstall the dizzy with the rotor pointed at #1 on the cap - and don't forget to account for shaft/rotor movement as the dizzy gear engages the cam gear.

 

do i need a breaker bar to spin the engine by hand?

 

Or a large ratchet. It's easier with all 8 plugs removed.
The starter might get you through, but rotating it by hand would surely be more accurate.

When I drop a dizzy into a 5.0, I put the transmission in 4th or 5th, and then rock the vehicle back and forth, in order to move the oil pump driveshaft, and allow the dizzy to drop the rest of the way in.

 

so once i put the dizzy in i put the tranny into 4th or 5th and just rock it to let it drop in all the way?

 

Or just drop it in. It usually takes me two tries to get it set properly. Drop it in, see how much it rotates, pull it and compensate by turning the rotor, drop it in, done. It will take a small amount of force to seat it properly because of the seals.

 

awesome thanks guys. now to set the timing i was told not to use a timing light. i supposedly need a dwell meter but if i remember correctly i do need a timing light. one like this correct? http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...501_0494115978

 

That timing light should work. I used purple sharpie to mark O* and 10* on my damper to make the flash easier to read.

 

okay cool. also do i set the timing at 10*btdc on the harmonic balancer with the spout disconnected? IIRC last time i did it i was closer to the 10* btdc instead of 0*tdc

 

Yes. And you can try advancing it a little from there if interested.

 

okay awesome, thanks for the help guys