#1 position of Distributor

What is the #1 cyl position on the distributor of a 52 8n side mount.

I have read 1 o'clock (top right,nearest radiator)
and 7 o'clock.

Which is it??

Some sidemount 5-nipple caps have a molded "1", lotta don't..... BUT.....because there is only 1-way to install the distributor cap (has locating lug) the cap ALWAYS mounts the same way on the distributor body.

Traditionally, the 8N sidemount distributor body is mounted so the #1 nipple is about 7-8 o'clock and the rotor is pointing to #1 nipple underneath the cap. (has to do mostly with being able to get to the oil nipple) And if you don't like where everything lines up, then pull the distributor a bit and rotate the helical rotor shaft a gear notch and re-install.

Remember: firing order is 1,2,4,3 CCW..... ..Dell

1) Slide timing tab over right hand side of clutch housing to reveal the flywheel.

2) Ignition switch OFF, manually turn engine over and align the pointer inside the timing tab hole to 4% BTDC.

3) Your distributor has a little oiling port on its side. That should face about 90% away from the engine when installed. Place dist cap on distributor (it should only go on one way) and mark (grease pencil) the distributor where the #1 plug wire goes into the cap (it should be marked "1" on the cap). Remove cap.

Looking at the distributor facing THAT WAY (i.e., looking perpendicular to engine with oil port towards you) rotate rotor to about 10% more toward you than the mark on the cap. Insert distributor into dist hole. As it goes in, the distributor will spin (caused by eccentric gears on distributor). If you are lucky, it will spin exactly to your mark on the distributor. If not, pull it back out and keep trying until it does.

4) Lock the distributor into postion, regap/replace points, condensor, etc, replace cap and put your #1 plug wire in the #1 cap port. Firing order is 1-2-4-3 CCW.