I am about to remove my distributor and the Haynes manual says identify cylinder 1 and make sure the rotor arm is pointing to it. Now if I am facing the front of the car which is cylinder number one? There's no indication on the distributor cap.

1980 C3 350....

Thanks

 

Drivers side, front to rear - 1, 3, 5, 7

Passengers side, front to rear - 2, 4, 6, 8

"Usually" the front drivers side tower is #1 on an HEI distributor cap, assuming no one has messed w/it before you.

Good Luck!

 

This is for my '71, but it might help you.

 

Carl that's brilliant, thanks. I've got a HEI but I think the cylinder numbers have to be the same. Anyway you've confirmed that I had the correct cylinder! Rotor arm is all aligned and I'm ready to remove it and then the intake manifold! I know this is probably a quick job for someone who's experienced but it's the first time on my vette so it's taken a little longer!!!

 

If you look closely, the number 1 cylinder, front driver side, is actually a bit forward of the passenger side... they dont line up exactly. Look at the placement of the cylinder head. 2 is across from it...


1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8

 

If you have the original distributor, there should be mark/line on the base of the distributor, drivers side. What I am calling the base is the flange area that mates against the intake manifold. This is the area that the distributor hold-down is clamped against.

Next, on the intake manifold, again if original, there should be a nick/area that has a machined cut on the intake manifold, on the drivers side in a "V" like cut. This is not much longer then .25 inch. There may be some grime in this area, clean first with solvent if necessary.

The only thing that you should do is to use a Sharpie to mark on the rim of the distributor, the area where the cap mates to the distributor, the position that the rotor is pointing to. If you are unsure or cannot find the "line" and "V" cut, make a mark on the base of the distributor and the intake that match up when reinstalling. Once the distributor is out, DO NOT ROTATE THE ENGINE.

When reinstalling, remember that the cam and the distributor have helical cuts, meaning that when you pull the distributor, the rotor will slightly rotate, approximately 1/8 of a revolution CCW. This is why you marked the rim of the distributor to the position that the rotor was pointing to.

When reassembling, again if using original parts, orientate the rotor to the position that the rotor moved to when removing. The rotor will spin CW approx 1/8 of a turn. The line in the base of the distributor matches up approximately to the "V" cut on the intake manifold, or the marks you made on the distributor base and intake.

When the distributor is mated against the intake, the rotor is pointing to the original mark on the rim of the distributor you made with the Sharpie. Don't forget the gasket, and then set timing. Good luck.