I'm replacing the distributor, how do i time it to get the distributor in the right place?

 

This is all dependant on the fact that your pointer and timing marks are known to be correct:

Bring the number one piston up to TDC. Place finger over the number one cylinder plug hole, manually rotate engine until air blows past your finger. Then watch for 6-8 BTDC to come up, stop once the pointer is pointing at it, install distributor, move the distributor until the rotor is pointing at the number one terminal on the cap. Lock it down and fire it up.

If your unsure about the timing marks or pointer, then this is what I do:

If they are unkown, take out all spark plugs and mark wires for replacement. Wrap a screwdriver with thick duct tape (you don't wanna scrap the pistons or heads) or use a tdc stop. Place thumb over number one spark plug hole, rotate engine clockwise until air blows past your finger, stop, Put either previously mentioned device in the number one cylinder spark plug hole, slowly rotate engine until it stops, find a reference mark on the block itself, preferably the timing pointer, make a mark on the damper using the pointer as reference, remove stop, rotate engine clockwise for a 1/4 turn more, install wrapped screwdriver or piston stop, rotate engine slowly counter clockwise until it stops again, make a mark on the damper using the previously mentioned reference point on the block or pointer. Find the point halfway between these two marks on the damper and make a new mark, this is tdc on the crank during the compression stroke, now take your new middle mark and rotate engine until the middle mark is lined up with the reference point on the block or pointer whichever you used, this is tdc. If your timing marks are off, make a mark on the block that is inline with the tdc mark on your damper, then rotate engine until 6-8 BTDC is inline with the new mark/ reference point on the block. Install distributor, point the rotor at number 1 terminal on the cap, lock distributor down, install plugs and wires, connect vacuum hose if needed and fire it up.

 

Thank you, i'll try it in the morning.