Timing Question

Just updated my project page.
See: Phase 2

Now the question -- Part way down the page you will see a picture of the timing mark and one of the distributor. As noted I marked TDC while the engine was dismantled. I was not surprised that it was offset from the factory mark since years ago when I set the timing it had to be done by ear (actually ran it down the road with me on the fender to get it right). What does bother somewhat is that #1 at the distributor is not according to the book. I did remove, clean and reinstall the oil pump. I did not remove/change/mess with the cam.

Does all this really matter? Should I remove the oil pump and reset the drive gear while I have the engine out? I have not tried firing the engine yet. I suspect the firing order will be correct regardless where the distributor rotor points, but wanted to confirm that fact with all of you.

Thanks.

 

Smitty,

I've heard stories of people running the timing nearly 180* out and having another cylinder as "#1" and so on. Certainly, they made it work and the engine ran. But IMHO, if you are going to have the engine out, then I'd take the time to get it to factory. That is one less thing you have to rack your brain about if something goes wrong.

IIRC, my #1 was not quite pointing exactly where the FSM said it would, but it was as close as I could get it. I static timed it by drilling out the #1 contact in an old distributor cap and eyeballing it. It fired right up and I was able to "earball" it from there until I could get a timing light on it....

HTH