My 1968 came with the Factory Transistorized System with the special Distributor and parts. I sent them to get rebuilt and then stored them in a vacuum bag. I want them in case somebody wants to restore the beast. The parts are restored and stored properly for the next owner of the Corvette.

I am using a MSD Billet Tach Drive distributor currently on my 1968 427 along with a MSD 6AL box and an additional Retard Box that allows me to pull 20* while cranking which makes the starter motor much happier. The MSD distributor is very adjustable and easy to modify for your particular engine.

Best regards,
Chris

P.S. To hand rotate your engine you need to remove all eight spark plugs and then use a breaker bar and turn the nut on the crankshaft. I spin my 427 over before starting it after letting it sit for a few months.

 

I wouldn't pull plugs every spring. Just watch oil pressure. Climb before letting it start.

 

The best way to find TDC for sure is to pull the valve cover and watch the rocker arms. With the intake valve closing and then stop when the timing line on the damper then hits the timing pointer, You could be 180 degrees out on the distributor now.

 

Removing #1 plug is lots easier than pulling a valve cover. It's easy to find the compression stroke. Keep thumb about 1/2" away from the hole for the plug, turn the engine over and feel for air coming out. As soon as you feel that, stop cranking. Then, just 'bump' the starter to inch the timing mark on the balancer up to TDC. THAT is the firing point at the end of the compression stroke. The distributor should send spark to the #1 cylinder just slightly before that TDC (comp) point.

 

Sincerely thanks for all of the replies and advice, got the engine to start tonight in the middle of a hail storm no less. So had problems with the original distributor, unclear if it was a distributor problem or an error on my timing of the distributor, more than likely an error on my part. Any way tried 3 times to identify TDC, pretty sure that I had it nailed down. I was unable to turn the motor by the crankshaft bolt as it was just tightening and I for sure do not want to break it. I was successful in turning the engine by applying pressure to the alternator belt and turning the alternator pulley with a socket. Replaced all spark plugs and attempted once more with the original distributor and it would not start up. Purchased a new distributor today and installed at the same orientation as the prior installation. Motor started but it was a rough idle and would stall about 15 seconds later. It would idle better if I turned the distributor to full advance as far as the physical limitation of the vacuum advance would allow. So pulled the distributor out and walked it one tooth forward, similar result, engine would start but rough idle and stall soon after. Later realized I had not reattached the brake booster vacuum and trans vacuum lines. So reattach those and motor starts and idles perfectly. I am done for tonight, motor starts which is more success than I have had in the last 4-5 days or tinkering. I will start it and work on timing tomorrow. Still unsure if the original problem was the distributor or my timing, I suspect my timing was at fault. I post this not to gloat in my success to get the engine to start but hopefully if someone else has a similar problem in the future they may be able to rectify it with the advice you all have provided. I plan to rebuilt the stock distributor to have on back-up should I encounter problems with a Chinese made part. Again many thanks to all who chimed in to help solve the issue at hand!!!