So what is the secret to setting the timing after you have poled the distributor? I have been trying to get it to fire for two days and every now and then I can get one backfire but there is nothing more. i have it at top dead center. I have had this problem before but it has never taken this long to get it. Please help I am doing it alone.

 

Are you sure you are at TDC and not 180* out. I would bet that you are 180* out and not firing on #1 @ your TDC. Take off the distr cap and look at where the rotor is pointing when the timming mark is at 0.

 

Yea your probably on the Exhaust stroke and not the compression stroke. Which is 180 deg. out.

Rotake the crank 1 complete reveloution to 0 deg again and then reinstall the distributor on the #1 plug.

 

Another way to make sure you are on the compression stroke is to pull the #1 spark plug and have someone slowly crank the engine with a wrench while you have your finger in the spark plug hole. When you feel a blast of air blow past your finger, you are on the compression stroke.

 

since it looks like the problem was solved, time for some humor!

here i thought you were going to say to hold the spark plug wire as the rotor passed while holding your finger on the spark plug hole....LOL You'd certainly know when the rotor lined up!

 

 

ok i went out and tried again. I lined up the rotor with the #1 plug wire while the crank poly was at 0 and the dot on the cam gear was at the top. Both the intake and exhaust valves were loose. I made sure the carb was getting fuel and there is spark. So now what??? I tried to rotating the distributor back and forth.

 

I had a friend tell me before (no jokes), if you don't think a cyinder is firing, pu the wire off of the pug, stick a finger in, and turn it over.