87,V6 Distributor problem

My friend while toying with his motor removed the distributor,and bumped the starter (rotated the motor)180 degree.:banghead: I was always told thats a no no.I put the distributor back in,after bring#1 piston up.Got it running ,but I feel things are not right because I had to remove the coolant hose from the water pump to get it started.The unit that is on the distributor that has the wires on it,was hitting the water hose.
So my question is what can we do to get things lined back up.:runaround:
James

It sounds like you had to turn the distributor body around quite a bit from the original position. Since you say the engine runs, you must be close with your timing. Remove the cap and notice where the rotor is pointing when you have the timing mark at TDC and the rotor pointing toward #1 plug location of the cap. Mark the rotor position on the distributor body. Remove the clamp holding the distributor in and as you remove the distributor (try to keep the body in the same position as you lift it straight out), watch the rotor turn a little and stop at a new position. Mark this position on the distributor body. Now install the distributor with the body positioned in a way that it won't interfere with the hose but start the installation with the rotor still pointing at the second mark on the distributor body. As the distributor gear starts to engage you will notice the rotor turn back to the same location in regards to the first mark you made. If the distributor won't go all the way in you will have to keep pressure down on it, but don't turn it side to side, while someone bumps the starter a few times. Install the clamp but leave it loose enough that you can still rotate the distributor for final timing. If you have to bump the starter to get the distributor to go all the way in you can check the rotor position by bringing the engine back to #1 compression TDC and the rotor should still line up with the first mark you made. Put the cap back on and start the engine. You will have to use a timing light to correctly set the timing at this point.

Thanks 97Bird.Sorry I took so to reply.Your advice was well taken.We got his bird runnig again.Thanks

Glad to hear it's running again. You're welcome.