Just to be sure, on a new build, with the timing marks aligned, crank at 12 and cam at 6, rotor needs to be on number 1. Thanks for your patience.

 

 

Mark is correct. Chevy motors are on the compression stroke in no. 1 with the marks at 6-12. For Olds motors compression on no. 1 happens when the marks are at 12-12. As Mark points out, I don't understand why people worry so much about this. Put it together, check for compression in no. 1, and drop in the distributor. We spend more time talking about it than it takes to just do it.

 

After decades of working on Chevys, please excuse my confusion. So I am rotating to 12 and 12 and installing the rotor to number 1 cylinder. Thanks to everyone.

 

I believe the installation is same for Chevy as it is for Olds, You install the chain with the crank at at 12 and cam gear at 6. That puts the distributor pointing to #6. Rotate the crank one full turn and the crank is again at 12 and the cam is at 12. That puts the distributor at #1. The firing order for Olds is the same as Chevy.

 

Thanks again

 

But isn't the cap wired counterclockwise for Olds?

 

Yes, but that doesn't change the firing order. It is still 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 for both.