273 Engine _ Need ID of Intake

You bet. First, see if you can get the intermediate shaft correct. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE. Refer to your shop manual, or download one:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=132309&highlight=click+save

Basically, with engine timing marks at TDC, no1 ready to fire (both no1 valves closed) you want the dist. gear slot pointing to the front most intake manifold bolt on the driver side of the engine.

IF IT IS NOT, and you wish to change it, try using a large screwdriver. Sort of "pull up" on the driver while twisting it. This should "walk" the helical gear up out of the block and disengage the gears, then you can move it a tooth one way or 'tother

IF YOU CAN NOT change the gear, leave it be. You can time the engine just fine, it's just that the no1 wire won't line up to the factory specified cap tower.

SO to drop in the dist, there are two ways to get the engine where you want.

If either of the valve covers are off, wrench the engine around so the marks are "just coming up" but DO NOT set them at TDC. Set them INSTEAD where you want your timing to be. If you have a stocker cam, set it around 10-12 BTC (before top dead) on the marks. If you have a big lumpy cam, give it some more, maybe 12-15. Some engines like 20.

NOW with the marks at your timing point as above, look at the no1 or no6 valves. If both no1 valves are closed, no1 is ready to fire. If both no6 valves are closed, no6 is ready to fire. You can time off either cylinder.

Alternately, if the valve covers are on, remove the no1 plug and stick your finger in. Bump the engine with a remote starter switch until you JUST START to feel compression on your finger. You may need to practice this a couple of times. JUST WHEN you start to feel compression, pay attention to the timing marks which will be "COMING UP." Once again, set the marks as they come up WHERE YOU WANT the timing, IE 12-15* BTC.

If you go PAST the timing marks, you can wrench the engine backwards "quite a ways" and simply slowly wrench the engine so the marks are up again.

Now drop the dist in, with the rotor pointing towards the no1 tower. I always take the dist and cap, and scribe the top rim of the dist. housing directly under the no1 tower so I can easily see this.

NOW with the dist in, the rotor pointing to the no1 tower, RETARD the dist (cw for small block) and slowly bring it back advanced (ccw for small block)

If you have points, advance until the points just open. Do this with a test lamp and the key "in run" advance until the lamp just lights.

IF you have breakerless, advance slowly until the reluctor tip is centered in the pickup coil

THIS METHOD is close enough that the car should immediately fire just like it was parked overnight.