Distributor install question on 460.

Going by the Chiltons manuall, I have installed my distributor so many times and it has never once started. I have to blindly install the distributor attempt to start it, rotate a tooth, attempt to start, continue the process until it starts. I am rotating the engine to TDC of the compression stroke for number 1 cylinder. (Passanger side front.) Once that piston is at TDC, I point the tip of the rotor to the back of the motor, rotate it just enough to engage a tooth and then drop it down so it engages the pump shaft. When it is completely seated, the tip of the rotor is pointing just slightly clockwise of the center line of the engine. I install the cap, all the plug wires, and crank it. It just cranks and cranks. I rotate the dist as far as it will reach in both directions and it does NOT start. So the guessing begins. I pull the dist up, rotate the rotor one tooth counter clock wise, attempt to start and keep doing this until it starts. Then if it is not running right, I rotate it one more tooth until it is running nicely.

Does anyone have foolproof installation instructions for installing a distributor into a 460? It is a 1991 F250 with EFI. This is such a pain, please help.

Assuming you have the correct firing order and you know which direction your distributor turns.....believe it or not, I have seen people try to wire them the wrong direction. Find #1 TDC. Number 1 piston is up, valves are closed and timing mark is near 0. Drop in the distributor, the rotor bug will be pointing to #1. Put the #1 wire in at that point and then install the rest of the plug wires following the firing order. If you have no fuel or other problems, it should start up.

Right.

#1 is about 1 0'clock as you look at the top of the distributor. It is often difficult to get to #1 TDC as you can be fooled even with your finger over the plug hole. The BEST way to KNOW you are at #1 TDC is to remove the right valve cover and verify that both valves are closed and that the piston is at the top. Then you install the distributor. I have found that it helps a lot to use a magic marker to mark the #1 location on the cap adapter so that you can verify that the rotor is pointing there during installation and after it seated. It's ok to "adjust" the distributor once seated +/- 1/2" to line it up.

ALso, if you are off with the timing by even 10*, it will NOT start. So if you are SURE about #1 TDC, and you marked the adapter, lined up the rotor correctly to #1, move the dist. in SMALL incriments CW and re-try, then back CCW.

Also, the BBF distributors rotate CCW, and make SURE you are using the correct firing order: 1,5,4,2,6,3,7,8.