I removed my distributor(the devil made me do it) and now she won't start. I want to get it started the right way. I am having difficulty lining up the TDC mark with short bursts of the key and I don't have an assistant. What is the best way to get to TDC? Do I turn the crankcase pulley bolt clockwise while facing the engine?
What size socket should I use and will it work. I am trying not to have the car flatbedded to a mechanic. What is the best way to ensure start up?

Remember that the crank will indicate TDC at cylinder 6 as well as cylinder 1!

The easiest way to do this is to use a jumper cable connected to the (+) terminal on the battery, and use the other end (of the (+) cable) to make contact with the 3rd wire on the "box" of 3 wires below/beside the battery - on my 108, it's near the washer reservoir, on the 116 in the junkyard it was below the battery but I don't know where it is on a 107... (putting it on the wrong wire on this box won't hurt anything, these are powered in the 1, 2, and start positions respectively, you're bypassing the ignition switch is all). DO unplug the coil however, to make sure it DOESN'T fire on you - Murphy's law would indicate that she would start up with your hand on the fan if not otherwise!

Otherwise, keep trying the key way, you might eventually get it... Still easier than taking the fan off (via the 4 bolts) to get a socket in there with a breaker bar so you can turn the engine!

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Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

I believe you need a 27 mm socket. You turn the engine CW facing it.

You may be able to get it closer with the starter if you remove the spark plug from cylinder #1 because without compression it is easier to get it to stop.

If you get it close, you can put the distributor in and then put a timing light on it and adjust the timing that way.

Be sure that you are at TDC on #1 - the timing marks line up at two places because it takes two turns of the engine to fire all cylinders. Look at the rockers (#1's valves should be closed), or listen for the air being pushed out of #1 (with the plug removed).

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

On sunday 2/29/04 I went out to get my girl started. I followed your advice and removed the #1 spark plug and got the TDC mark line up close. Replaced the distributor with rotor at #1 H/T lead,turned the key annnnd she started right up. Thanks and I will not be removing the distributor again. Now for a pricison tune-up. THANKS A BUNCH.