getting top dead center on vr v8

[twinthrotstatesman]

have taken the dizzy out to put new one and my brother moved it and not to shore how to get top dead and is it right that the roter faces number one cilender thanks for eney thing guys

[Morton]

The easiest way to find TDC without a distributor in there, is to

1) remove the driver side rocker cover and cylinder 1 spark plug (cylinder 1 is the foremost of the four on the odd bank)
2) turn the crankshaft until BOTH valves on CYL1 are close (both rockers will be in the raised position)
3) stick a feeler of some sort (I just use a long screwdriver) down the spark plug hole so that you can feel the top of the piston
4) continue to turn the crankshaft until you feel the screwdriver stop rising.

You'll be able to pretty much "feel" where TDC is, it's only there for a degree or so.

[FusionX]

As above, although I only do steps 3 and 4. It gives me a 50/50 chance of getting the dizzy right, but saves pulling the rocker cover off. If it's wrong, just rotate the dizzy 180 degrees and your spot on (so to speak, it should fire, just set timing to what you want).