Question about installing a cam?

[1BAD68]

This is regarding a friends Pontiac 400 engine.
When installing the cam and lining up the timing gears (6 o'clock, 12 o'clock) like the manual says, the #1 piston is at top dead center but the #1 exhaust valve has just closed.
As far as I remember, the piston should be completing its compression stroke with both valves closed.
Any idea's?

[carolina charger]

 4 stroke = intake , compression, power, exhaust.  The piston should have just completed the compression stroke as you mentioned.

[TylerCharger69]

Actually....when you line the marks up...i.e. cam sprocket 6 oclock and crank sprocket 12 oclock.....you need to aim the distributor rotor at cylinder 6. lots of people make this mistake....no worries....it's common.

[1BAD68]

Yep that was the problem.
When its 12 o'clock/ 12 o'clock its at #1 cylinder. 12 o'clock/ 6 o'clock is #6 cylinder.
Thanks for the info, I was beginning to think the wrong cam was in there.

[Nacho-RT74]

I wouldn't say mistake, I would say missinformation. Logic dictates if you set point againts point on gears youy should have at number 1 too... but is not

[TylerCharger69]

Don't feel bad....I think we've ALL done that when we started to get into the hobby.