Farmall C TDC/Distributor orientation

The tractor has a spark, but it does not run. It sputters and backfires. Anyway, the rotor is not pointing at "1" on the cap when the cylinder is at TDC. I don't know how to determine TDC of the compression stroke without taking the valve cover off. Anyway, when the piston is at the top the rotor is pointing at the 9 oclock position, when it gets to the top again, it's pointing at the 1 oclock position, but the "1" on the rotor is at 2 oclock.


Question:

1.) How do I determine TDC of the cylinder 1 of the compression stroke?

2.) I assume it doesnt really matter what the numbers are on the rotor as long as when I figure out the answer to the question above that the cylinder 1 plug wire is plugged into whatever tower the rotor is pointing at when I find TDC of compression on cyl 1. Correct???

Pull the spark plug out of #1, put finger over, crank by hand until you feel pressure, then pull till timing marks are on TDC.

Oh yeah...duh. That makes sense. OK, so once I do that, is there any concern that the distributor is oriented incorrectly? Does it matter? Once I figure out which tower is #1, then I just go clockwise with firing order and plug in wires where they go, yes?

Position of wires in relation to rotor is all that matters.

Good luck, post back.

I am not sure if it rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, observe.

Distributor rotates clockwise and it really doesn’t matter where the distributor is clocked, however it is nice to able to access the terminal to the points. Which if I remember right your’s is sort of at the 1 o’clock position. It will also get the ..correct police.. a little bent up. Should have set it to number one on TDC when you had the valve cover off, hind sight is 20/20.
Earlier post on same tractor

Loosen the2 bolts that hole the clamps, turn the distributor until the yellowware going to the #1 plug is in the 2oclock position. Unless you changed it since the last time, it shouldn't fire there and be in time with the engine. Its not a set in stone location like a mag is.

If you install the distributor in the wrong position you won't be able
to grease the distributor shaft. If you look there should be a zerk
fitting on the shaft and it should be aimed exactly away from the engine
block.
Also, if you don't time it correctly you will cause problems with some
working on it in the future. I have a Farmall C that was timed 180
degrees out of phase when I bought it. Didn't notice that until I put
new wires and plugs on it. Took me a few minutes to figure out what was
wrong.

Davd

just take the tappetcover off then you can be sure when it is on compression then move the rotor to #1 where the tower and cap meet get the wires on in order 1342 and you will be good to go if you remove #1 plug you can look in and see when the piston is at the top and the valves closed you are at TDC WHEN STARTING MITE NEED TO TURN DIST FOR A LITTLE ADVANCE

#1 position on cap for wire is at about the 2 oclock position for every ih tractor made from the 1940's to about 1958 with these horizontal
distributors. and the points wire is always at the 3 oclock position when properly timed. i notice that right away at tractor shows if one is
not factory correct. every engine always has a #1 starting position on the distributor. BUT of course it will run where ever #1 is
positioned. and to find tdc on compression , no need to remove valve cover. just put some tissue in the plug hole or plastic plug and rotate
engine when they blow out tour on compression and just keep turning till you line up the timing marks. then you rotate distributor clockwise
a hair , the rotate counter clockwise till you hear the spark snap and tighten it down there. make sure you have ignition turned on on
course. you are statically timed. the othe way is to use a piece of paper between the points. when doing the counter clock wise rotation
you can pull out the paper you tighten her down there. and the other way is a timing light. i have used all these methods and checked my
timing with a light and its right on. so you dont need a light to time an engine. distributor rotation is clock wise on all these engines
except the diesels and the w9.