[1320King]

When installing a cam and then aligning the timing chain marks in a 350 chevy does the #1 piston need to be at TDC when this is being done?
Or does that only matter when you are stabbing the distributor in.

[DT]

Yes. #1 TDC

[BPOS]

Yes. #1 and #6 will be at TDC. When you align the gears "dot to dot" as in the picture, be aware that #6 will be at TDC on the compression stroke and #1 will be at TDC on the exhaust stroke. Install distributor accordingly.

[1320King]

Originally Posted by BPOS

Yes. #1 and #6 will be at TDC. When you align the gears "dot to dot" as in the picture, be aware that #6 will be at TDC on the compression stroke and #1 will be at TDC on the exhaust stroke. Install distributor accordingly.

So the distributor rotor would actually be pointed at #8 piston then if the timing chain is installed as shown or 180 degrees out?

[DT]

No, rotor should face the #1 piston.

[Nashville Beth]

All you need to worry about is getting the two dots to align.
There's a dowel pin on the cam and the crank has a keyway.
If the dots are lined up you can't screw it up.

Then get your #1 piston on TDC compression stroke(your timing mark on the crank should be close to zero). Drop the distributor in and the rotor should be pointing slightly before the #1 position (it rotates clockwise).

[TJS69]

sprocket marks dot to dot as shown will be # 6 firing !

both marks at 12 o'clock will be #1 firing !

You want to drop in the distributor to match the above.

[Melrose RS]

I always use about 10 degrees before TDC ( advanced) by the timing mark because you are going to have to advance the disti from zero to get it to run well anyway.

[john68]

Originally Posted by DT

No, rotor should face the #1 piston.

If you line the gears up dot to dot, set the dist to #6, the service manual explaines in detail???

[DT]

Originally Posted by john68

If you line the gears up dot to dot, set the dist to #6, the service manual explaines in detail???

Yes, I was thinking 12 o'clock position. (explains)