Hi guys tried starting up a /6 that i brought a fuw years ago found top dead centre set distributor to no 1 and cant get it to start moved distributor to no 5 and got it started and runs good my mechanic mate cant get his head around this using a aftermarket electronic distributor
Have any of you guys experianced this.

The outer ring on the damper carries the timing mark. It's not uncommon for the damper ring to slip so that the timing mark is no longer accurate. In cases like this you have to use a piston stop to find true TDC, drop in the distributor and then fine tune the timing with road tests. If you do find true TDC and the damper mark does not line up with TDC on the timing tab then you should plan for a new or rebuilt damper as your damper has failed and can come apart leaving you stranded.

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Joshua

Had that problem once, a "few" years ago. TDC'd #1, added a "custom pointer" made from a piece of coat hanger wire to one of the timing cover screws, and scratched a new mark on the pulley's hub. Took a small mirror to see it well, but it served nicely 'til that slant had to be junked after getting caught in a SoCal "smog trap" in '70. Easy to "adjust" (bend) the pointer to whatever advance position I wanted.
Had to choose between affording to fix'er or affording to get married that first time (should'a fixed'er ).

Didn't then, but today I'd add a reference mark on the ring to check fresh dislocation.

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Sex, drags, and rock & roll.
Dick, 225% crazy.
Hobby (cars, that is) Photos link

It's possible the engine was rebuilt at some point and they put the #1 piston in the #5 hole.

Boy, this will make you scratch your head.

Roger

It sure did me. Then I saw who wrote it!

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1975 Dodge D100 225 c.i., HEI, Offenhauser Four Barrel Intake, Parallel-mounted 500 CFM Edelbrock, Split Cast Iron Exhaust, 904 auto, 9.25" 3.55:1

lol. I can't believe there are still people who don't know that spark plug wires and pistons mate for life.

Greg......you're over-medicating. Stop taking three pills and back off to one for the rest of the week.

Roger

LOL! Another reason I hang out on this Forum.

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"Louise", a 1976 Dart Custom project, (now sadly reverted to being just an "organ donor" to our other project Darts.)

Although not a slant six my 52 Plymouth when I got it had number one plug wire where number 4 should have gone. Everything was reset to that and it ran OK. I changed it by moving the oil pump but still...