Where is #1 ?

[blazerpunk]

Well some jack a$$ (me) must have gotten the wires on the distributer cap one space away from where it should be. Sooo whats the simplest way to figure out which one is #1 on a '90 TBI small block.

 

[79Stomper]

I just went through this last week trying to figure the same thing out. #1 can be anywhere you want it to be as long as you have them in the correct firing order. Remove valve cover and determine when your #1 cylinder is just before TDC, usually 4-10*. Next pull your distributor cap and se where the rotor is pointing and bam you have where #1 should be. That is the way I did mine, got pretty good at finding TDC and removing distributor and all wires.

 

[dschneider]

another way is to remove #1 spark plug (disconnect power wire on distributor so it wont start) and stick your finger over the hole and have someone slowly crank the engine (tap it) when it hits the compression stroke you will fill air coming out the hole, look at the balancer and turn it until the line is at zero, remove distibutor cap and it should be pointing to number 1.

 

[blazerpunk]

another way is to remove #1 spark plug (disconnect power wire on distributor so it wont start) and stick your finger over the hole and have someone slowly crank the engine (tap it) when it hits the compression stroke you will fill air coming out the hole, look at the balancer and turn it until the line is at zero, remove distibutor cap and it should be pointing to number 1.

Thats just too simple. Can someone slap me now.

 

[K5MONSTERCHEV]

Thats just too simple. Can someone slap me now.

Or just look at the timing mark on the balancer.

 

[big83chevy4x4]

Or just look at the timing mark on the balancer.

but you have a 50/50 chance of being 180 off.

 

[darkshadow]

got this?

 

[K5MONSTERCHEV]

but you have a 50/50 chance of being 180 off.

Correct