I recently had my 1962 dodge dart 225 rebuilt by a machine shop with a good rep. after placing engine in car, I lined the mark on the crank pulley with the zero on the timing plate. I was told this was tdc for #1. Next I installed the dist where the rotor pointed at #1 when dist was fully seated. I cranked the engine. after considerable cranking the engine started and back fired several times. A double check of the timing marks and dist cap showed the rotor pointed in the vicinity of #3. the process was repeated with like results. can the dist slip on cam shaft from back firing? the plastic gear on the dist seems to be ok. Where do I go from here? The dist is the one I took out of the car and it was ok when removed. I am assuming the cam crank alignment was correct the machinist insists he aligned the timing marks.

Take the #1 spark plug out and put your finger in the hole. Turn engine over. When the pressure forces your finger out, that is TDC for #1. Then the timeing line should line up with the pointer. Then install distributer with the roter to #1. Build a fire in the engine and enjoy!

Of course, Eric means that you "turn the engine over" BY HAND!!!! Otherwise, you'll have more than Black Nails.

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There's a difference between ignorance and stupidity.
Ignorance is not knowing any better.
Stupidity is knowing, yet doing it anyway.

sounds to as if the dist is 180 degrees out of alighnment...

--chad

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74 swinger slant 6, the slowest, most fun car i have ever owned.

Don't forget to take it out of gear before turning the engine over by hand... It makes it a little easier. I moved mine about two feet!

Thanks for the info. Now I understand what the term 4 stroke means. The Dart is running. As soon as I get an alternator I should be ready for the road.