Trying to get my car running

Hi, I believe I found the issue with the spark, now I have a question with the timing.
There are no timing marks, I want to
find Top Dead Center.
The distributor was taken out and car was moved.
How would you set the timing,
someone said place finger in number one plug, and feel for compression.
But where should the valves be, open, closed , etc?

Thank you, Kenny

Hi Kenny:

I'm interested in knowing what the cause of the spark issue was. Could you let me know?

As far as the timing, both valves should be closed in cylinder one and the piston as high as it goes right before it starts back down.

Yes, you can tell when there is a compression stroke by placing your finger over the spark plug hole, but it's hard to tell when it actually reaches the very top. If you are certain there are no marks on the crankshaft pulley, take the number 1 plug out and place something like a straw in there and wait until it reaches its highest point and then starts down. If you have the valve cover off, both valves must be closed.

Let me know if that helps.

Joe

Joe hi,

I tried using the straw, this wont work since the piston is behind the lifters. When looking through the spark plug hole you can see the lifters, but the piston is not visible.
Is there another way to handle this. Also, you stated the piston should be at the top. The lifters in the number one cylinder should be closed. In regards to the remaining lifters and the points, should they be open or closed when the piston is on top dead center?