420 timing

[Randy Pendleton]

we had our engine rebuilt and after installing it and starting it for the first time it is not running right. The front cylinder is not firing only the back cylinder, when you have it on top dead centre when you remove the distributor cap it is not pointing at the front plug the way it used too. Can you pull the distributor right out and turn it and put it back in again, or where should I start to get it back in time.

[Lavoy]

Only way to corerct dist position is to pull the pan and reposition the oil pump. Even if the dist is out of position, they will still run, you just need to get it back in time. Wherever #1 is when you pull the cap is where it has to be for now.
One other possibility, did you put on a new dist cap? Most of the sources that sell you a new dist cap for a Dubuque are actually selling you a vertical dist Waterloo cap, and they do not work. If you put one on, you will get about the same result you have now.
Lavoy