distributor...

ok this is what i did...i removed the distributor, the whole thing and forgot to mark the current settings. Now i can't start up the car cause it isn't on the right timing. How can i get the new distributor in without taking the engine apart. I hear I have to set it on the first wire but how can i check that on the pulley? Please help...

I did that once when was I helping a friend install his new dsitributor (the dealer wanted over $1k to do it) so I thought I was a hotshit and tried to help him, and messed it all up. I thought I was completly screwed, but I just kept trying different settings and eventually I got lucky and it started. So, it's not impossible to get it right by guessing...(better than taking the engine apart I would think) Good luck man o-)

It's funny but I going through the samething right now . You have to bring the number 1 cylinder to it's compression stroke .but you have to make sure the timing marks on the gears are in the right positions .so to see that you will have to remove all the stuff in front of the engine front cover to make sure your not 180 degrees off . There is a link on www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Lane/6701/EM89-002.htm

yea i just did waht grenyear did, turned it until i get it. I didn't know how to turn the freaking crank. The odd thing is that my fully turned to the right and it is 18 BTDC....

i'm just curious...were you working on the timing chain?

me? no i was trying to fix the idling and change the timing. it was sitting at 10 btdc and the distributor was straight with it. Now it is turned all the way to the right and it sits at 18 btdc...stock is 20 btdc. While thinking i can swap with my red car, i pulled both out and couldn't start the car so i was like "F**k i got 2 non running cars now" and freaked...now i got them to work so it is all cool....lol