Ok, I bought a 360 LA engine on ebay a number of years ago. It is currently going in a 56 dodge pickup project. I started it but could not see the timing marks. I took the front cover off to verify the marks on the crank gear and cam gear were aligned correctly. they are. so back together, dropped the distributor in pointing to the #1 cyl. it did not start. I turned the dist 180 and it ran. but I can't see timing marks. I have done this process before several times but this one has me stumped. any suggestions? it's like they cut the keyway on the wrong side of the cam

 

It's possible that the damper has a rotated outer ring, you must verify top dead center in number 1 hole and mark on the damper. It's not uncommon for the damper to spin the outer ring on a stock damper, when this happens it must be replaced asap.

 

yep, couldnt time my fury to save my life. had to go by ear. find tdc in hole #1, start the engine. rotate dizzy slowly to where it is idling highest, then back it off about half inch so it doesnt ping. this was my timing process lmaoooo.

 

If the outer ring has spun it can come off, sometimes thats destructive.