226/tdc
 

How do i find TDC on no.1 cyl.I want to pull the dist.and be able to put it back in the same spot. Never messed with flatheads before,any help will be great.

One method: Locate No.1 cylinder (I think is is the back cylinder on the 226) and find it's spark plug wire on the distributor. Remove the distributor cap and mark the location of No.1 spark plug wire on the distributor. With the cap off rotate the engine by hand until the timing mark comes up (I believe the 226 timing is set a top dead center), and the rotor is pointing to No.1 spark plug location. If you bring the timing marks up and the rotor is not pointing to No.1 plug wire, then you are on the exhaust stroke rather than the compression stroke. If this is the case, roll the engine through another revolution. Put the distributor back in with the rotor pointing to No.1 plug wire and the engine at TDC on the compression stroke - just like it was when you removed the distributor. There are other methods, but this is simple and it works. Bob

That sounds all good, but I think your mistaken bout number 1 cylinder. unless the 226 is different from every other Ford motor number one cylinder is the one at the front nearest to the water pump.

Snowking is right about No.1 Cylinder being the cylinder nearest the water pump.
Bob