318 Magnum first fire...timing?

Some "notes" on timing and the guys above know this

1....Learn to set timing. SET it. SET it correctly
2....The drive slot is not all that important BECAUSE some distributors do not have the tang aligned at same angle as others. Nobody seems to know why
3...As mentioned earlier, dist can be "180 out" or 1/2 turn out This is EASY to prevent

HOW TO SET THE TIMING FIRST TIME EVERY TIME

1.....along the build use a piston stop or other means to make certain the balancer timing mark is accurate. The outer ring can "slip" in the rubber
2....After priming oil pump and when installing the dist intermediate shaft, you can "walk" it up out of the helix with a screwdriver if you need to change it. Set the timing marks to TDC and see where you are. Should (in theory) point to the left front intake bolt hole

There are TWO ways to get the no1 cylinder on the FIRING/ COMPRESSION stroke.

A....If you have the valve covers off, bring timing up to the mark and look at no1 and no6 valve pairs. One set will be closed, the other both somewhat open. Whichever pair is closed is on the firing stroke. You can set the dist into no6 instead of 1 if this is the case, otherwise, rotate crank 1 turn

B...The most common way is to remove no1 plug and stick your finger in the hole.. Bump/ crank engine until you feel compression, then watch for marks and bring them up NOT on TDC but rather WHERE IT IS THAT you want the intial timing, say, 8-10BTC with a dead stock cam, 10-15 BTC with a hot cam. Now drop the dist in with the rotor pointing at no1 tower hole and with the dist. body "plenty of swing room" for the vacuum can. This is where the "slot" issue will show up if you have an "oddball" drive tang. The fact is, it simply does not matter. Either use a different tower hole for no1 or else "walk" the gear so the dist will set how you want.

Next, rotate dist CW (retard for a SB) and if you have breaker points, rotate slowly back CCW (advanced) while using a light/ continuity device to detect "points just opened"
If breakerless, rotate slowly until reluctor tooth is centered in pickup core.

YOU CAN CHECK timing while cranking on the starter (thanks Crackedback)

Now it's a simple matter of priming carb. If it won't fire right away, stop and find out why, as you can easily wash down the cylinders and foul the plugs. If any question, check the cranking spark.

THERE IS NEVER a good reason when starting an engine such as this that you should have to crank and crank endlessly. Five seconds properly setup and primed it should at least cough and try to fire. If it "jerks" and "kicks" it is too far advanced. if it seems to fire but just plain wont run, suspect that it is RETARDED. (Check the timing on the starter) Make CERTAIN your priming fuel is FRESH