Chevy smallblock start up

Hey. Im in progress to start my engine and have a new cam in it. I also have a new HEI distr. and I want the engine to start on first try so I can rev it up for the cam to be properly breaked in. Can you help me get the timing right with the engine off? With points I allways turned the crank to what advance I wanted and with a bulb on the coil turned the distr. till the bulb flashed. How do I do that with a HEI?
/ Krille

 

You can mark the distributor housing where the no. 1 post is and align the rotor with it.

 

make sure the #1 piston is on top dead center of the compression stroke - to do that just you make sure the intake and exhaust valve are closed while you rotate the crank to sneak up on the timing mark you already verified was actually at top dead center on the harmonic balancer.

Then make sure the rotor is pointed at the #1 cylinder - then make sure the rotor cap with the #1 wire is installed over the rotor pointed at #1 cylinder -

make sure you have gas in carb and power to distributor - fire away bring up revs to 2500 or so and vary slighty over next 10 minutes - don't let it over heat - adjust timing if too retarded it'll get hot and smoke your headers

 

And add some "cam break-in" additive to your motor oil...

 

Another trick is to take out your number one plug and put your thumb on the hole. This works great if your rocker covers are already on. It will make pressure on the up stroke. Just feel for pressure and then align the timing mark on your balancer. Set your distributor to a touch after the number one post. Keep it loose and have your timing light set up. I use a remote starter switch and get on the timing light immediately. If you know what your total time is, you can get it close enough to run for your 20 minute break in.