Frank Enstein
Best. Day. EVER!
Here is the procedure to adjust the valves on a new 8 cylinder engine:Technically yes, but the cam was 180 out first for compression stroke on 1. The Holley hyperspark has a tool. Says go #1 compression tdc. That means the dots both 12 o clock on the 454. It is a clear cap, it marks roughly where #1 cyl is on the cap to be phased per instructions. Mark it, slap the sniper on and it should fire up perfectly without a timing light at first. If the dots are 6 and 12, then its 180 out and not on 1 compression stroke.
Over and over on the internet I keep seeing the same message on why I did it wrong all these years, need to be 12 and 12 after lining up at 6 and 12 dots so its on 1 compression.
https://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/198828/
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/How_to_install_a_distributor
Turn the crank clockwise while watching the number one cylinder pushrods.
Watch the exhaust pushrod go up and down and then the intake pushrod go up and down.
Continue to rotate the crank after the intake pushrod goes all the way down until the timing marks
Line up on 0 degrees.
(This will be LESS than 1/2 turn of the crank after the intake pushrod is all the way down.)
Install rockers and tighten the nut while rattling the pushrods up and down until the rattle just stops.
At this point you are at ZERO LASH.
Tighten further to add your preload ( typically 1/2 turn after the rattle stops ).
Do this to both rockers for number 1 cylinder. Cylinder number 1 is DONE!
Now turn the crank 90 degrees ( 1/4 turn) and set the rockers for the next cylinder in the firing order.
After the second cylinder in the firing order turn the crank 90 degrees and set the third cylinder in the firing order.
Repeat this procedure for the remaining cylinders, one for each 90 degrees of crank rotation
ending with the last cylinder in the firing order.
After the last cylinder in the firing order's rockers are set turn the crank until the timing marks
line up with 10 degrees BEFORE top dead center (BTDC).
Install the distributor aligning the rotor with the cap location that you want to put number 1 spark plug wire.
Line up the magnetic pickup with the reluctor and then rotate the distributor opposite the direction of rotation
JUST SLIGHTLY until the points are BARELY misaligned. Tighten down the distributor.
You are now pre-timed for 10 degrees Before TDC. And the engine should start right up!