Dist. removal question

[diablostang]

I've got to replace my head gaskets, so obviously the Distributor has to go... I searched around, found a tutorial that said-

"Place the distributor rotor pointing to the #1 cylinder, that's around 1 o'clock. Mark the relationship of the rotor to distributor using a marker pen. Remove the retaining bolt and lift the distributor out. Remember NOT TO CRANK the engine !!"

I know this is a stupid question, but I need to know

How do I turn the dist. rotor to the #1 position? And where do I need to mark the relationship between the rotor and dist?

Again, I'm sorry to ask the stupid questions I appreciate any help

Oh and if anybody has any pix, they'd be very helpful.

 

[RYC CUKR]

I have always used a 1/2" breaker bar to rotate the engine around to #1 positionon the dist. I can't remember what size socket you need but you put it on the balancer bolt and use the breaker bar or ratchet to rotate the engine around to the desired distributor location.

 

[diablostang]

I have always used a 1/2" breaker bar to rotate the engine around to #1 positionon the dist. I can't remember what size socket you need but you put it on the balancer bolt and use the breaker bar or ratchet to rotate the engine around to the desired distributor location.

Perfect, thankyou!

Now what exactly do I need to mark?

THanks!

 

[jrichker]

Take the coil wire out of the distributor. Pull #1 plug, put your finger in the spark plug hole. Have someone crank the engine until it starts to blow air past your finger. Stop cranking, turn the engine by hand (15/16" socket on a breaker bar on the harmonic balancer bolt, or put the car in gear and push) until the TDC mark on the harmonic balancer lines up with the pointer on the passenger side of the engine. Loose the distributor hold down bolt, remove the clamp, cap and wires, disconnect the wiring harness. Pull the distributor straight up.

The following re-install depends on the engine being lined up as in the previous instructions.
To re-install, turn the distributor rotor to point to #1 cylinder position on the cap. The#1 position is about 12 o'clock if 6 o' clock is the front of the engine. Line the rotor up with it pointing at the #1 spark plug position on the cap and drop it in: you may have to twist the shaft some to get it to engage the oil pump shaft. Then remove the SPOUT connector plug, and use a timing light to set the timing. The SPOUT is the dangling connector on the distributor harness on stangs made prior to 94 and with a computer controlled engine. 10* is stock for most 5.0s' 12*-14* is good for more pep if you are not into NO2 or power adders.