Moment of Truth

["cruznmd" <racuti1@xxxx>]

Ok kids, here's what's happening:

I bought a big honkin' Optima battery. I discovered my grounds and 
battery connections were dirty so I cleaned them up. That got the 
starter to engage. Hooked up the alternator belt and the little wire 
for the "discharge" light on the dash. Oil, coolant, etc.

By now, it was getting dark, so I didn't fool with it for long.

The engine squeaks. It's -bone dry-. I did my best to get the timing 
as close as I could, but the car didn't start. It tried once or 
twice. I had a helper crank the engine, and I felt it puff a feeble 
sort of back fire a couple of times.

I think it's the timing. I feel very confident that I set the chains, 
pistons, and valves correctly. I rotated the engine by hand, and 
nothing was interfering. The distributor though...

Here's what I did: Set piston 1 at TDC. Then I set the rotor in the 
distributor in line with electrode #1 in distro cap. I then installed 
the distributor and put the cap on, making sure they were still in 
line.

Hm...TDC? It's supposed to be 13 degrees -before- TDC, right? Am I an 
entire gear tooth off, or can I adjust 13 degrees with the swing in 
the distributor?

The really good news? The engine isn't pukeing any fluids. 

Come on guys, I'm close. Help me out, I want to go to Pigeon Forge!

Rich
#5335