I am wordering if my timing is out 180 degrees. When the timing mark is pointing at the 0 degree notch, is the distributor rotor _definitely_ supposed to be pointing at the #1 spark plug, or is this only true half the time, and the other half of the time it should be pointing at #4? I have heard of people installing distributors out by 180 degrees. How does this happen, and how can I check for it. Car won't start after replacing distributor, and I suspect the timing is way out. I am going to bump the starter until the timing mark mis lined up with 0* and see where the rotor is pointing and twist the distributor to line up the rotor with #1 when I try to start it. Sound right? Also is it true that it is easier to start a car when the timing is slightly retarded as opposed to slightly advanced?

Thanks y'all

Well your right. Half the time it'll point to the opposite post. Number one is still up on TDC, but is on it's exhaust stroke. To check which stroke it's on a spark plug can be removed. When on the firing stroke it will build compression against your finger and blow it off the spark plug hole.

Starting may be slightly easier with retard, but for a range of 50 degrees or so it shouldn't be noticeable how it starts.

You can pop the valve cover off the #1 cylinder to check that.

Turn the pulley to 0deg and look at the valves. Turn the pulley one full turn and compare again. Both valves will be up (fully closed) when at TDC on the compression stroke. When you're at TDC on the compression stroke check the rotor and make sure it's at the #1 cylinder. If it isn't, you're 180 degrees off.