I have a new 383 and when on TDC and rotor pointing to #1 cylinder and on #1 plug wire it will not start but if I turn the distributor to #8 plug wire with rotor pointing to #1 cylinder at TDC it starts but runs bad. If I try to turn anymore either direction it dies. Any ideas?

 

Distributor is not indexed correctly on the drive gear. You can look up the proper way to set it on multiple sights.

 

have u had the engine apart? If so are u sure u have the cam timing correct.

 

Pull # 1 spark plug out, pull the wire for the distributer so there is no juice to the distributer. Spin the motor over with the starter using a quick twist of the key and release, do it again and again until you hear the compression noise come out of # 1 piston with no spark plug. Now go out and look at the balancer timing mark (deep grove machined on the entire width of the balancer ) which you should paint white first with touch up paint. The mark should be past the 0 on the degree timing pad, you need to put a socket on the balancer bolt and nudge the motor back so the painted line on the balancer and 0 on the timing tab line up. You are now on #1 TDC and in the firing position. Mark #1 dist cap location on the housing or put a piece of tape somewhere to mark where the rotor should be pointing. Take off the distributer cap, remove distributer bolt, pull up distributer and get the distributer to drop in all the way down with the rotor pointing in the right spot by pulling up on the distributer and turning the rotor all the while making sure the distributer location by the vacum advance unit is also where it should be approximately. Just so we are on the same page, #1 cylinder is the 1st cylinder on the drivers side cylinder head.