jimbob

Put a new distributor in a 383 that looks like it came out of another Chrysler not my 64 according to block stamp it is a 1968 motor.Rotation on the dist.is counter clockwise.I did the #1 tdc and wired the distributor accordingly.Wont start i have good spark at the plugs ,but sputter and get the odd back fire.

Commando

Sounds like one plug wire might be in the wrong spot.

Did you check the plugs, one may have become fouled from the old setup?

440roadrunner

You say you "did" no 1 TDC, what does this mean?

If you only brought the timing marks up, you may be on TDC, or you may NOT be on the firing stroke, in which case you must bring the crank around one more turn, and you'll find that the distributor is now 1/2 turn (180*) off

To find TDC "ready to fire" on no1, do this:

Pull the no1 plug, or if you have either valve cover off........

Stick your finger in the no1 plug hole, and bump the engine until you JUST BEGIN to feel compression. You may have to go "around" a couple of times

When you begin to feel compression, look at the timing marks, and bump the engine, or turn with a wrench NOT until TDC comes up, BUT RATHER the mark comes up to WHERE YOU WANT the timing to be, example, at 10 BTC

(If you have a valve cover off, look at the no1 or no6 valves. No1 is ready to fire when both no1 valves are closed, if you have the passenger cover off, no1 is ready to fire when both no6 valves are open)

Now install the dist so it points to the no1 plug tower. Rotate the dist to RETARD the timing (CCW on a BB/RB) and slowly bring the dist ADVANCED (CW) until either the points open, or until the reluctor is pointing in the center of the pickup coil.

NOTICE where the rotor points, plug the no1 wire into the matching cap tower, and go from there

If you do this correctly, the car should start as if it had been parked overnight.

Then use your light to fine tune the timing.