Timing Edge of the distributor housing?

Tiny
CPT.NEMO
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET 2500
  • 7.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 400,000 MILES
When I have the timing gears at tdc and I’m setting the distributor, I align the dimple to the white line and do I stab with the rotor pointing at the number 8 that is casted into the edge of the distributor housing or to the number 1 cylinder? I’ve been told several different things, could you please clarify this for me?
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025 AT 12:30 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,331 POSTS
Yep, this can be confusing to get the ignition distributor installed correctly, here is a video to help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El1H0_6IYxQ

Let us know if you need anything else.
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Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
CPT.NEMO
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Very helpful video if that were my distributor. Mine is flat and I want to know if the rotor should be pointing to the number one cylinder or at the number 8 that is inscribed on the base of the distributor
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Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025 AT 11:12 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,331 POSTS
Okay, no worries, here is the instructions for your engine specifically. Rewatch the video and use the images below to help with the installation.

Rotate the number 1 cylinder to Top Dead Center (TDC) of the compression stroke.

So if the engine is not on the compression stoke you will be 180 degrees out of time FYI. Let us know how it goes. Check out the images (below).
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Wednesday, December 24th, 2025 AT 9:49 AM

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