Strange timing issue - '68 318
OK, so I think I made an amateur error in my earlier calculations. I think the rotor was pointed to 3 oclock at TDC during the exhaust stroke, not the compression stroke. So during the compression stroke it would be at 9 oclock instead, which is where it should be since my distributor is advanced a bit too far anyway.
Don't over think this!!! With the timing marks lined up, put the #1 wire in the cap terminal closest to where the rotor points.
I'm trying not to overthink, but I'm on the verge of a breakthrough in understanding this so humor me just a minute longer.
I know that the orientation you mentioned earlier is not the hard and fast truth, but it is a really useful reference point for me so I'm going to use it to describe what I'm seeing.
I've got my vac advance nipple pointed at 9 oclock. The #1 spark wire is at 6 oclock. And the rotor at TDC is at 9 oclock. If I adjust to get things as you described earlier (twisting the dizzy approx 45*), I get vac at 7 oclock. Rotor at 7 oclock. Spark plug wire at 5 oclock. Precisely as you described above.
I have one quick question though. You said both:
the rotor should point to the throttle return spring bracket (left forward most intake bolt)...the #1 wire should be at about 5 o'clock
Which seems to me to mean rotor at 7 oclock, #1 wire at 5 oclock.
And:
With the timing marks lined up, put the #1 wire in the cap terminal closest to where the rotor points.
Which would mean #1 wire should be at 7 oclock with the rotor.
Am I mis-reading something or are these two different recommendations?
Thanks for the clarification.