when installing timing gears on my 327 the manual says to have #6 cyl at top dead center. i have always had #1 at tdc but they were all 350 anyone know the reason why.and do you set the dist. at #6 if that is true?

When you do timing gears, you do the dot to dot. This in actuality aligns them with #6 at TDC. After you align the dots, you have to rotate the crank another 360* to bring #1 to TDC before you drop the dizzy in. If you always remember to rotate the crank the additional 360* after you do dot to dot before you drop in the dizzy, then you will be good. If you don't rotate the additional 360* before you drop in the dizzy, then you will be out 180*.

thanks for the help that makes since.

when installing timing gears on my 327 the manual says to have #6 cyl at top dead center. i have always had #1 at tdc but they were all 350 anyone know the reason why.and do you set the dist. at #6 if that is true?

When you do timing gears, you do the dot to dot. This in actuality aligns them with #6 at TDC. After you align the dots, you have to rotate the crank another 360* to bring #1 to TDC before you drop the dizzy in. If you always remember to rotate the crank the additional 360* after you do dot to dot before you drop in the dizzy, then you will be good. If you don't rotate the additional 360* before you drop in the dizzy, then you will be out 180*.

Although you didn't specify stock vs. aftermarket(such as a gear "drive) here is an instruction sheet for a gear "drive installation describing the difference between both dots at the 12 o'clock position vs. the crankshaft sprocket dot at 12 o'clock and the camshaft dot at the 6 o'clock position(or dot to dot alignment). The comparison is in the upper left corner of the attachment.With both dots at the 12 o'clock position there should be no need to rotate the engine 360 degrees before installing the distributor.
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff229/1969ProStreetCamaro/PeteJacksonGearDrivePage1.jpg


David F.