Start over, there is no reason not to be able to stab a distributor 1 time!! and it not run, if the rest of the ignition is still working correctly.
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I understand you have done this many times, but...
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Pull the passenger side valve cover, and number 1 sparkplug.
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Rotate crank by hand clockwise (with the balancer bolt) until number one intake valve opens and closes. Number one piston should be coming up to fire.. (check balancer to see if it is coming around too, if not it may have jumped time at the chain and gears) Continue to rotate crank until it is at 12 degrees BTDC, and the piston should be at the top.
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Stab distributor so rotor is aimed at number 1 plug wire location on the cap (not the plug, it’s not a chevy). Adjust dist. and snug down. Remember 13726548 is the firing order (counter clockwise) on the cap starting at #1.
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Even by eyeballing, I have never had a motor not be close enough to run this way.
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If it has jumped time, flooded or ignition is not working correctly you will have more work to do, but it won't be because the distributor is not installed correctly.<O</O
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Thanks, everyone. Will try this in the am when I get home from work.

 

Save you a little effort, pull #1 spark plug, crank the engine by jumping the small terminal on the solenoid to the battery side. Put a finger in #1 plug hole and stop when you feel pressure from the cylinder. This is the compression stroke. Take a 15/16" socket and extension so you can get it in the crank pulley and onto the bolt head. Put a skinny screwdriver in the plug hole and CAREFULLY turn the engine till you feel the piston stop moving up and start down, back it up the other way then do it again, stopping at the highest point. It won't be exact, BUT, it should be close to TDC on your balancer. If it isn't, then your balancer is bad, and you weren't 28 degrees before when you started.

For a fast set, take an old plug, knock the guts out of it and tap it for 3/8-16. Take a fairly long threaded bolt, put the plug shell in the head, screw a nut on the bolt and turn it in till it will stop the piston. Go both directions and mark the balancer, half way between these two is true TDC. Measure 10 degrees from that in a clockwise direction for a good timing to get you on the road. Use your new TDC to drop the distributor in on the top of the compression stroke.

 

85,
I figured that is the way he tried to do it the first 4 or 5 times. I'm figuring/hoping he still had vacuum hooked to distributor when the timing was checked (28*), or something is really wrong.
Btw a wooden dowel would be a better choice than a screwdriver.

 

Probably, but most mechanics don't keep wooden dowels around. I'm hoping he has something simple too, but I just went through the balancer issue on my 460. I just couldn't check the timing on it.