Putting a dist. in a bigblock 400 that's missing one, where should it point if #1 cylinder is at TDC? And is #1 on the driver's side.

It points in the direction of the nearest Toyota dealership where a brand new Prius is waiting for you to buy.

I know, but don't feel like typing. Where is RapidRobert?

Lol, I know how you feel.

The FSM would have pictures and everything showing where it should point.

With number one at TDC on the firing stroke and the oil pump drive gear slot pointed forward aligned almost identicle to the cam and crankshaft the #1 spark plug wire should be at 5 oclock position on the distributor cap with the vacume advance pointed straight up at 12 o clock. Looking at the distibutor cap spark plug wire holes #1 is just below the forward distributor cap spring steel retainer

Cab that sir is an awesome description. As always you are a wealth of information and a gentleman!
I was not aware of that by the way and ill be needing that info soon. Thank you.

Alright, Turn the dampener till it is at the initial amt you plan on running (15BTDC might be a good ballpark) & confirm you are on #1 compression & if not then go around another turn to get the slit back to 15. install dist so rotor points sideways across the eng (I'm rusty on BB's but I believe that is the OE position & OE is the best for plug wires). turn housing slightly till the magnet is dead even with the tooth. (not sure of can position but it needs room to be turned either way). Plug in the #1 wire in that over sideways cap terminal where the rotor is at and the rotor should be located pretty much directly under that cap terminal or at least close to it and the can will shift it CW (on a BB) from that at rest static position (rotor phasing) and then plug in the rest of the wires around CCW from there. Just do a visual or you can make a mark on the side of the dist directly under the center of the bulge of the #1 cap terminal then remove the cap & see if the rotor is centered or close to centered directly above your mark on the housing. No Mas

get a service manual. has the answers to these silly questions..

Magnum there are no dumb questions. holler how it turns out

Thanks all. And no way am I buying a Toyota.

Cab is that clocking with a person in front of the car facing it? I have a 451 coming together (first BB in decades) & I like to maintain the OE plug wire routing

I believe that's standing next to right fender by right front wheel, staring straight down at distrib.(providing eng is installed in car)

& you know now that you mention it that way that position sounds familiar (I heard it somewhere before way back). thank you!

That is exactly what I was trying to say

Cab I think you said it good I just was not grasping the position.