timing guru's please check this for me

[chevybill]

I have a 98 vortec 350 for my 70 and trying to set initial timing before dropping in distributor. I have the engine on a stand and turning it with a ratchet (with all plugs out of the engine and no intake or exhaust manifolds)
I have been turning the engine to the right stand in front of the engine- is that correct?

2nd.- I put a plastic plug in the no 1 cylinder ( first plug on right side standing in front of engine) and it blew out with the notch on the harmonic balancer in the 1 o'clock position.

3rd- Is this the right place to try to drop in the distributor or should it be moved further? and shouldn't I try to point the rotor cap toward no 1 cylinder when dropping in the distributor?

I know this sucks without pics, but do not have any way to take pics or post.
I know this is elementary to many of you, but I received the engine without a distributor (junkyard pulled engine) so I do not have a reference point from the original distributor.

The one notch is the only mark on the harmonic balancer, but I will be buying a degreed cover and a pointer for this engine.

Sorry to be so long.

thanks for all the help, everyone.

[chevybill]

I could really use some input.

[rkarr]

Bill,
I'm not totally familiar with that particular engine, but I know the old small block like the back of my hand...
If they are roughly the same engine, the timing mark USED to be on the front timing cover... at about 1 O'clock, so you should be close...
The driver;'s side front cylinder is number 1.
Sounds to me like you are pretty close, but without the timing mark, who knows when you are truly at TDC on number 1.
as far as the distributor goes, (again, referring to the old small blocks), you will need to turn the rotor a bit counter clockwise from where number 1 should point. As it drops down along the cam gear, it will rotate more towards the right position. Don't be surprised if you need to rotate the crank to get the oil pump rod lined up, then and only then will the distributor drop all the way down so you can clamp it. After it drops all the way down, bring number 1 back to TDC after compression stroke to make sure you have the distributor properly indexed.
You should then be close enough to get her running.
Hope this all makes sense and is helpful.

[chevybill]

thanks for the reply, the vortec is very similar to the older engines, especially externally.

[Fatback]

Does your timing cover not have a mark?....Its like a raised part on the timing cover with a line on it.
I have a 96 Votec in my 70. I lined the mark on the balance with the mark on the cover, then dropped the distributor in with rotor pointing to #1 cylinder and she fired right up. It sounds like you are close. I dont know where the timing should be set for this engine though, since the computer would have taken care of it before. Assuming that with the 2 marks being lined up the engine being at TDC, I put timing tape on the balancer and set the intial timing at 6 degrees, and it seems to run fine. It does ping a little, so I may try setting at 4 and see what happens.
If there are any others who have done this swap...I could use further education on this one.

[chevybill]

I will check for a mark today when I get home from work.

Anyone else have any helpful hints?

[tomatocity]

pull the valve cover and turn the engine over until you find the compression stroke. Continue (small amount) to rotate the engine until the valves on #1 are both neutral. Check you timing mark and that shoud be #1 TDC.