Reply to "distributor install"

Mike, some comments. Remember that the crank turns twice as fast as the cam. So at TDC you either have both valves closed and the one just having closed is the INTAKE. Or if you're not on the compression stroke, you'll still be at TDC, but both valves very slightly open and the valve closing is the EXHAUST. Forget about BDC

About the distributor, it doesn't matter where the rotor is pointing, as long as the cap has cyl 1 wire at that position. I always try to have rotor pointing forwards, just to make it easier to remember. Usually I start with the distributor body, because it can't with vacuum advance be turned in all directions, you have to find a position that gives room for turning a bit in each direction to adjust initial timing, then you install the cap, some can go on two ways, most only one way, then the wires (so as few as possible has to cross). When all that is done, then you know where the rotor has to point.