I just put in a new distributor in my 87 with an 302. I have done this before on different vehicles but it doesnt want to start. What I did was I put #1 at TDC, then pointed installed the dist. and pointed the rotor toward #1. I noticed that on the dist. cap the plug terminal marked #1 is on the opposite side of the cap. should the rotor face the #1 terminal on the cap? or point toward the #1 cylinder?

 

Make sure you have the number one cylnder at tdc. .... On Compression stroke.

The end of the rotor that carries the spark to the plug wire should be at that spot on the distributer cap. For the number one cylnder. Not 180 degrees off.
Bob

 

I just tried that, it still didnt kick over, I think I may not have it on the compression stroke. I heard hissing as my TDC indicator was moving up, so I thought it was. I did forget to take the TDC indicator out and put the spark plug back in. It sounded like a 44 Magnum going off. It didnt break it though, haha

 

it doesnt matter where you put the number one plug wire on the cap its not magic they put it there so you dont mess it up when your workin on it the next time wherever you put the number one plug MARK IT SO YOU DONT FORGET WHERE IT IS unless you like pullin the dizzy me I could do with out it feelin around for the oil pump drive is a pain on mine good luck