i just finished putting my 3VZ-E on TDC of #1 cylinder with the cams. but its not running so im thinking it is prolly my distributer out of line. any input from anyone on this would be great, newbie on toyota engine work.

 

Starting at TDC on the compression stroke, turn the crank so it is now at 10 deg before TDC which is marked on the lower timing cover. Mark the distributor where the #1 plug wire contact is and when you put the distributor on align the mark with the rotor button. This should be close enough that it will run and you can do the final adjustment when it is running.

 

thats top-dead-center COMPRESSION.... make shure you dont get things 180 deg out....

even a tooth off it should still fire and run rough (least it was for me when i put mine back together)

there are some really good "how to set your timming" threads out there... (i know because i used them myself)