Sorry if this has already been covered.

I am refreshing an already rebuilt (.040 over) 1970 Olds 350. I have it on an engine stand. Heads and intake are off, timing cover is off and lifters are out. I am replacing the cam and lifters and timing set. I installed the cam and crank gear and have No 1 and No 6 pistons at TDC (crank gear dot at 12). I installed the timing chain with the cam gear dot at 6 lined up with the 12 o'clock crank gear. Before I install the front cover, water pump, etc..., I will roll the engine so the crank gear is at 12 and the cam gear is at 12. The 1 and 6 pistons will be back up again. Will the engine then be on #1 TDC on the compression stroke so, providing I don't turn the engine further, I can install my distributor with the rotor pointing toward the rear right for the normal, correct #1 plug wire position?

Another unrelated question. The previous owner of this engine plugged the hole in the front of the block where the fill tube goes. Looks like he was adding oil through the aftermarket valve covers he had on it. I plan to use those aftermarket valve covers as well. Is it an issue if I leave that fill tube hole blocked off?

Thank you!

 

When the cam gear is at 6 oclock and the crank gear at 12 #6 is firing. When the cam gear and crank gear are 12 and 12, #1 is firing. The normal installation procedure is to line up the dots with the crank at 12 and the cam gear at 6, then turn the crank 1 full turn (crank at 12 and cam at 12) and drop in the distributor with the rotor pointing to #1.

 

Thank you for confirming that.