does anyone know how to time a bbc. i think i put the clamp on the #1 wire, and hook up the + & - on the battery. but if it is starting to back fire, do i rotate clockwise or counter clockwise?

Yes, you "time" from the #1 Plug.
Hook you're timing light up accourding to the directions. Most hook to a 12VDC source (Red = "+"/Black = "-").
'Backfiring' is usually retarded timing - so you will want to rotate the Dist. towards the rotor to 'advance' the timing. This is the CCW (counter-clock-wise) direction for most Chevy's.
Or:
CW = Retard timing
CCW = Advance timing

Hope this helps :thumbsup: