How to install a distributor and set timing

How to install a new distributor, or an old one, in one of BluePrint Engines' Longblock series.

To Install a Distributor in your engine. Follow these instructions.

Rotate the engine over to top dead center on the compression stroke of the # 1 cylinder. This is going to be the driver's front cylinder on a Chevy and Chrysler or passenger front cylinder on a Ford.

a.To verify TDC (Top Dead Center), with the spark plug out and your hand over the spark plug hole, you should feel compression as the piston comes up to the top of the cylinder.

Verify that your balancer is reading 12°. The 12° degree mark should line up with the 0° degree mark, or pointer, on the timing tab. The engine is now on 12° BTDC ready to fire and ready for the distributor to be installed.
Remove the cap on the distributor so you can see the rotor.
Install the distributor and fully seat it in the intake. Typically you can point the rotor at the number 1 cylinder to ease the installation of plug wires.

1. You may have to stick a screwdriver, or socket, and adjust the oil pump drive shaft to line up with the beveled gears on the distributor gears.

Once the distributor is fully seated where the rotor is currently pointing is where the #1 spark plug wire needs to be installed on the cap. Follow the appropriate firing order for your engine and wire the plugs according. See Below Diagrams for common firing orders and direction of rotation.
Start the engine and set base timing to 10-16°BTDC and verify that total timing is 32-34° degree at 3500rpm. (This is all just mechanical advance only. Do not have vacuum advance hose hooked up and please do not use vacuum advance unless you have the BP3023CTC)