how do i test the distributor?

Next will be the valve and ignition timing

fuel injection or carb?
check engine compression

its carburated. when it died it acted as if it ran out of gas.. fuel pump works. it also has blown ring but only smokes when warming up.the smoke is blue for about 1 second then turns white and smells like bad exaust. the fuel lines are clear, i blew compressed air thru them and the fuel pump is working. im thinking maybe compression it eats oil but doesnt leave stains on the ground. about a 1/2 to full quart a day when driven. i paid 1000 and dropped 1000 on a brand new head water pump belts fuel filters plugs wires cap oil filter oil and antifreeze. its not the distributor. i have spark everywhere it needs to be and the spark is blue. engine turns timing is good. worried about compression, carburator.

You can have fuel and spark but if the valve and ignition timing is off-she ain't gonna start-Hint: the valves are opening and closing at the wrong time-Check engine compression

how do you test the valves and if their off how do you adjust them?

Do you have a repair manual?

yea but its not a haynes it a chiltons and doesnt tell me much. i looked it up on line and it seemed easy just time consuming

im trying to adjust my valves and the no. 1 is not at tdc. im trying to get it there by turning the cranck shaft counter clockwise but its not moving the top gear to place it at tdc. is there a trick that i should know?

im trying to adjust my valves and the no. 1 cylander is not at tdc. im trying to get it there by turning the crank pulley counter clockwise but its just turning on the bottom. the top gear wont move to position it to tdc. is there a trick that i should know?