Expert: Ben Deutschman - 10/23/2007

Question
BEN,
NEED TO KNOW FIRING ORDER AND DISTRIBUTOR POSITION FOR 68 VAN SLANT 6. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS, RICHARD

Answer
1-5-3-6-2-4 is the Firing Order, and if you've pulled the Distributor, and cranked the Engine, or the Gear broke, and you need to re-synch the Distributor, then you'll have to pull the Valvecover, and #1 Spark Plug. Then using a 'Remote Starter Button', crank the Engine until the #1 Intake Tappet (front of Engine) is at rest, and you feel a burst of air from #1 Cylinder. As you see the Tappet come to rest, and feel the burst of air, IMMEDIATELY stop cranking the Engine. Check your Timing Marks, both the Stationary Tab on the Timing Case Cover, and the rotating one on the 'Vibration Damper' (pulley closest to the 'Timing Case Cover'). The 'Timing Marks' should be lined up. Once everything checks out, carefully put the Distributor back in, with the Rotor facing #1 Spark Plug. Be careful when putting the Distributor in, as the 'Drive Gear' will try to force the Rotor to turn as you lower the Distributor in. You may have to put the Rotor slightly before the point where it's facing #1, in order to compensate for the turning. Reinstall your Spark Plug, and Valvecover, and if all was done right, the Engine should at least try to start, and from there you can play with the Timing enough to get it running, and then with a Timing Light, set the Timing to spec.