Distributor Hook up../..Timing TDC.?

Gentleman,
Boat: 85' Mastercraft American Skier, Chevy 350.. I just finished the post on Vaccume Source, and had a few questions for the pro's... I had pulled all the "automotive stuff back off the engine and re-installed my Mallory distributor (With points) & wires in (until I can afford the electronic module).

A few questions..

Q-1 When determining TDC, how can I tell if the #1 cyl is at the top of the compression stroke when I'm by myself? Pressure gauge, position of the rotor..?

Q-2 There are three wires in play when re-wiring the coil and distributor. A purple, gray and a black. I believe the gray and the black (attaches to the side pole off the distributor attaches to the negative coil? The purple attaches to the positive coil?

I just want to be sure before I turn the ignition switch and crank it over. I don't want to blow up anything, or if my timing is 180-out, backfire, and blow my power valve in my Holley!

I'd appreciate any direction...

~fb~

Re: Distributor Hook up../..Timing TDC.?

Here is a video showing how to find TDC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAlCVA5cCQM

Here is a link to the manual you need. It has wiring diagrams

http://www.4shared.com/document/JJHVDZU0/Mercruiser_Service_Manual_9_19.htm

Re: Distributor Hook up../..Timing TDC.?

Thanks for the info.. My engine is a PCM 350, not Mercruiser, but the technique is the same to determine TDC. Is there a wiring diagram for that particular engines' distributor/coil connections?

~fb~

Thanks!

Re: Distributor Hook up../..Timing TDC.?

I'm sure you are right on the wires - but it is easy to check:

-The wire from the distributor (points) goes to the negative side of the coil

-The purple will go to the positive side - double check that it has power when the switch is on

-The grey wire will go to your tach - it too goes to the negative side of the coil

With a points system there is usually a second wire to the positive side - and it comes from the starter. It gives it the full 12v when starting, and after the engine has started the other wire gives a reduced voltage either through a ballast resistor or resistor wire.

Re: Distributor Hook up../..Timing TDC.?

Wow, that's a big help-really appreciate that. I'd like to get it dialed in by this weekend. Thanks,

~fb~

Re: Distributor Hook up../..Timing TDC.?

Yea on a points system there are two wires that go to the + side of the coil. One comes from the starter sol and gives a full 12V when cranking. The other comes from the alt and either goes through a ballast resistor or the wire itself is a resistor wire.

This wire heats up at idle and lower rpms and reduces the V to the coil. At higher rpms it cools down and allows more V.

If it were me I would put a new ballast resistor or resistor wire in while your putting your new IGN in. I had so many problems because of a bad resistor wire. It took me about a month of troubleshooting to figure it out.

A ballast resistor is about $12.