Just started a weekend project to put a new intake manifold and water pump on my 69 with a 350 SB / TH350. Set the timing mark to 0 at #1 TDC on the timing marks and when I took the cap off the distributor to mark the location before removing it, the rotor was pointing 180 degrees away from #1. The distributor is a stock GM converted to breakerless Malllory, so it has a nice little mark for rotor alignment at #1.This car has been running fine (although a little hot) and I've timed it to 7 deg BTC at idle before it took it apart. Can a SB be set up 180- degrees out and still run OK or am I missing something?

Bob:confused:

ur missing something...

ur missing something...


Like the wires on the cap maybe? It doesn't matter where the rotor is positioned when the #1 cyl is at TDC as long as the plug wire for #1 matches the rotor. And of course all the others wires follow the firing order from #1

Bob,
Turn the engine one complete revolution and line up the timing marks again and you will be at the # one compression stroke. Every thing will look fine then.

Sounds like you weren't on compression stroke. Rotate engine 1 time and all will be well.

if the motor ran, the timing was not 180 out.

Like the wires on the cap maybe? It doesn't matter where the rotor is positioned when the #1 cyl is at TDC as long as the plug wire for #1 matches the rotor. And of course all the others wires follow the firing order from #1

Assumption is the mother of all...lol
I said this assuming the wires and everything was correct. He stated it ran. I apologize for mis-speaking. I assumed it was running, like stated, and he pulled the cap off and the rotor was 180 out.
my bad. :D

ur missing something...

Assumption is the mother of all...lol
I said this assuming the wires and everything was correct. He stated it ran. I apologize for mis-speaking. I assumed it was running, like stated, and he pulled the cap off and the rotor was 180 out.
my bad. :D

what bad.... he did say it ran, so it can't be 180 out, and he must be missing something...

Yup.... rotated the engine 1 turn, checked the #1 with the plug out and all is wonderful.... duh! Sometimes ya just miss the simple answer to the question.

Thanks for all the replies!

When the balancer points to the 0* mark, you have a 50/50 chance of being on the compression or the exhaust stroke. Guess which one you found. The good news is you should be able to put it back together the way you took it apart and all will be well.

what bad.... he did say it ran, so it can't be 180 out, and he must be missing something...

Harley - Jim's right - I just provided one possible "something missed" I was in complete agreement with you... Almost mentioned the compression stroke, glad others did since that was the problem...

Ok. I have misunderstood. I have been under a little stress lately. Talkin on the boards seems to help.
Were good.