Finding top dead center
 

I just rebuilt the top end of my 307. I have the heads intake and timing chain cover all back on. I am ready to set the valve lash and set in the distributor, but am curious how to set top dead center with the dizzy out. does anyone tell me how to find top dead center like this? I know to look for the timing mark on the balancer, but do not know if it is on the compression stroke or exhaust stroke.

with the #1 spark plug removed, put your finger over the spark plug hole and turn the motor over. when air starts pushing out of the hole, the piston is coming up on the compression stroke. bring the piston to the top.

Another way that has worked well for me is to wet a 1/4 chunk of paper towel and stick it in the # 1 cylinder hole ( plug pulled). Bump the engine until you hear the paper towel blow out - sort of a "pshhhhhht" sound. If you have your harmonic balancer installed, turn over by hand until line on balancer aligns with tab. Then your at / very close to TDC.
Chris

Yea what 72 said is the easiest if u are by ur self. or use a shop rag

If you still have the valve covers off, you can set the timing mark to zero.......if both valves on #1 are shut, you are in the right spot. If not, turn the eng 1 revolution back to zero.....:)

I once did the "blow out the hole" trick, but found that it was easier to rotate the engine with all the plugs out and stick my pinky in the spark plug hole until I could feel the top of the piston. For some reason I had a hard time getting TDC with just bumping the starter...