Ok. I finally got my distributor out-unceremoniously but it is out. Now after I get it rebuilt what is the best way to set the timing when I go to install it?  Basically how do I find the degrees BTDC to put it at so that she will run enough for me adjust it? Also, to prevent corrosion and crap from freezing it in place can I use dielectric grease or anti-seize on the base?

Mike

Once determining that the piston is coming up on compression stroke, put the damper at ~20-25° BTDC at the pointer for installing the distributor.  You’ll find that engines start up much easier at 20°+ instead of TDC without that frustrating fanfare of backfires and fiddling with the distributor back and forth to get the engine up and running.  Once the engine is up and running, then a timing light can be used to do a final timing adjustment.

You don’t say if this is a points or electronic distributor but the 20-25° on the damper applies to both.  Points distributors are simply easier to initially time when the distributor is dropped in place.  If it is a points distributor and dropped into the engine where the rotor is in the proximity of #1 on the cap, then turn the distributor clockwise until the breaker points just start to open.  Once this is done, just insure that the rotor is still pointing to the #1 spot in the cap.

If it’s an electronic distributor, then align the stator and reluctor within the distributor and you’ll be good to go.  MSD distributors are easy in this regard.  Pertronix electronic distributors or conversion kits can be a bit challenging but if the center collar is marked where the magnets within it are, then those too can be initially timed easier.  To find those magnets in that center collar, I take a paper clip to the center collar and marked each location with a dot of paint or correction fluid.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)