I have a 340 Duster w/electronic ignition. Is there a way to installl it without it being 180 degrees off? If the engine is at TDC, which way should the rotor or vacuum advance be pointing etc.

make sure the rotor is pointing the same direction as when you removed. don`t rotate the engine while the dist is out

if you put the timing marks at TDC then removed the dist. (1) if the rotor was facing forward when you pulled the dist & (2) the crank hasn't been moved from when you set it at TDC before you pulled the dist. Put the dist back in with the rotor facing forward & you should be good.

If you somehow REALLY screwed this up, and have cranked the engine, don't dispair, several very easy steps:

Pull the NO1 plug, and with a remote button or helper "bumping the starter, get a good view of the timing tab, and bump the starter, while holding your finger in the empty plug hole.

While CAREFULLY bumping the starter, feel for the compression decidedly pushing your finger out of the hole. At this time, watch for the mark, and bump the engine (maybe with a wrench) so the marks are somewhere 0-10*.

Now look at the distributor. Rotate the dist. so the vacuum advance is "in the middle" with range to move it. Whichever tower the rotor is pointing to is where the NO1 wire goes!!!

If you don't want it there, pull the dist and rotate the rotor 180 and stick it back in--you note it only goes two ways

The only reason on MOST engines that the manuals specify a certain tower for no1 is:

so the factory workers can rig the engines out the same

so the plug wires "lay" neatly

and so the mechanics later on "see" what they expect on car after car.

It's not too hard to do. Use your finger over #1 spark plug hole and bump the starter with a remote starter switch until you feel compression start pushing your finger off the hole. I like to do this with all the plugs removed. You might have to go round a few times to get the hang of stopping before you get to TDC.

Watch the timing mark on the damper and bump the motor until the mark is at TDC. Install the dist so the vac advance can swing both directions without hitting anything. Center the rotor on a contact by turning the dist until it lines up with the closest contact. That is now cylinder #1 plug wire.

Install the rest of the plug wires in the firing order sequence. Make sure you go the correct direction of rotation for that motor. Hook up a timing light and set the timing.

Now go out and make tracks...