I was trying to adjust my dist. and oil pump gear by "one tooth" so I could advance the timing beyond 5 degrees. The dist. clip was hitting the engine block, and I was told I could remove the dist, and move both it and the gear inside the engine block by one tooth. I forgot to open the dist. first and mark my rotor location. Now of course the truck doesn't start, so i figure i must have moved one more than the other, or something. I hear what sounds like backfiring into the carb, but the engine will not catch and run.

How do I set it back to factory and undue my shady operating skills?

I do have a remote starter and timing gun:D :mad:

Open the window in the bellhousing for the timing marker on the flywheel, and get that lined up. Once this mark is lined up, you know that the #1 cyl is at top dead center. But it's a 50/50 sgot whether it's the compression stroke or the exhaust stroke, know what i mean? stab the distributor to fire the #1 cylinder, and see if it runs. If not, re-align the timing mark, and stab the dist again 180 degrees around. That will do it...

Good Luck!

hey i noticed your cruiser color is sunbird yellow. that sounds pretty close to mine.. Zonker Yellow.... Now faded after 10 years to what most people would call Sunshine Yellow.... the yellow ones are few and far in between.:emb:

Isnt it easier to pull the #1 plug, put yer finger in the hole and rotate the engine? At least, thats how I've always found TDC on compression ;)

You sure you were using your finger, mike?
:flipoff2:

Use your remote starter to rotate flywheel until dot on fly is in window on your bellhousing. Rotate your crankshaft clockwise past the dot approx 1/2" until you see a vertical dash on flywheel(it may be hard to see) Pull off your valve cover and check the #1 and #2 rocker arms (front 2) They should be loose #4 rocker should be tight. If #1 and #2 are tight yor engine is on its exhaust stroke (180 out) You will need to rotate the fly 1 turn. Once you've found TDC use a screwdriver and turn the oil pump so that it is approx 11 o clock (it may take some minor adjusting) Line up your distributor with the rotor pointing directly at the head and very slightly toward #4 spark plug Also, have the vacuum advance on dist body pointing towards the outside of cruiser (this will allow for more Timing adjustment) push distributor down gently, as you do you will see the rotor rotate towards #4 spark plug, you know it is seated when it clicks in to the oil pump (it may take several tries) you know its correct if the rotor points exactly to #4 spark plug and the dist body is seated on the block.....Good Luck
Backfiring indicates dist is 180 out