need help with distributor

[whit]

well, I jumped into something with less than enough knowledge and now I'm stuck. I was having trouble with my battery/alternator so i took it to autozone to see if my alternator needed replacing... to make a long story short, i had to take out my distributor in order to get to the alternator. I have everything back in now but I can't start it. it just turns and turns but never starts up. I tightenedthe alternator belt as much as i could and i thought i lined up the distributor to where it was before but something is off. i can here something continue spinning after i let off the ignition. it doesnt't sound normal. I'm going to have a friend look at it soon but any advice you guys can give me would be awsome. thanks

[bbagwell]

Sounds like you got the distributor in wrong. If you get the engine at top dead center, take the distributor out and put it back in so the rotor is pointing at the number one spot on the distributor. To find top dead center take the valve cover off and when both the valves at the front of the head are half open, they will be in the same position and the rocker arms will feel loose if you shake them. The number one spark plug wire goes to the top left post on the distributor cap. You want the rotor to be pointing at number one when you put it in. I was off a tooth once when I put mine it and it backfired and shot flames out of the carb, if it does that shut it off immediately and try again.

[illiand]

dont forget to set your timing after you get everything back together, i just did the same thing a few weeks ago; my 4runner ran like you-know-what till i broke down and bought a timing light and did it right.

[bbagwell]

I usually set the timing by feel. Turn it until the engine revs slightly then turn to the point just before it revs. 20/22R's like to run advanced.