Q: Can you install a distributor at tdc, drop in the distributor, then line up the cap so its perfectly aligned with the 1st plug?

asked by on March 14, 2018

I had to replace my old distributor because my new distributor was worn out, and instead of replacing the dist. I upgraded to a pertronix ignitor 2 distributor and a new ignition coil because the old one was dry. Any ways its got spark and every thing but the timing is WAY off. The truck hasn't started in 15 years but when i turned it over (fuel line disconnected I just had a friend feed it fuel through the carb) it was immediately noticeable that the timing was off. So, back to the question. If I took the Distributor out and put the 1st piston top dead center, drop the distributor in and mark where the rotor is and rotate the top cap so the plug to the first cylinder as close as possible over that rotor, should the timing be right?

My car has 152000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

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