B 20 Timing gear setting

Post by **jpgurley** » 12 Nov 2010, 16:01

Hey Guys, I am resurrecting a 73 1800ES and though it has been sitting for 15 years, I got it running.
After all new fuel lines, pump, filter, pressure regulator and full tune up, I decided it was time to do the timing gears.
Everything is going fine, but I am surprised at the location of the distributer while my timing marks are lined up on the gears.
I would think the marks would line up while on #1TDC, but the distributer is near #3 firing position. Is that normal?
It has been decades since I last did one of these and I want to just put the gears back where they are, but shouldn't the cam be on #1? TDC?
Thanks for you help. BTW, this ES is an automatic with air and only 105K on it.
Jon

Post by **jpgurley** » 12 Nov 2010, 16:37

Correction, The engine is in #4 Cyl with the marks lined up on the timing gears. I removed the Valve cover just to confirm what valves are closed.