[Blue68]

Thing about getting the distributor to drop when you do the install is to keep in mind you are not taking a straight shot at it. Since the gears are at an angle, you have to think about the approach. It is best to get the oil pump lined up using a old distributor shaft or screw driver based on where it looks like the distributor will line up.

I've found that a point of reference on the valve cover somewhere is about the best way to START with the distributor install. This will give you (again with the angle) a target to shoot for with the install. I doubt very seriously if it is possible to hit perfect timing with an install, at least not consistently. Marking the distributor shaft body and intake manifold might prove me wrong though. Thing is, my marks usually don't stay or I'm replacing the intake, distributor or some other referencable part when I pull the distributor.

One more thing, It seems to me that I have to go one more tooth with an HEI than I did with the points distributor to get it to timing right. Short of really twisting it up, I pull the distributor and move it one tooth. This also helps keep the wires going to more or less the correct spot shown in shop manuals.