I have just rebuilt a B20 engine and put the timing marks together for the fiber gear and the steel gear.
Now, what what cylinder should be TDC ?

When you look down into the distributer hole..... where should that larger 'half moon' be ? I figure 1 tooth up on the left side from a imaginary parralel line set from the bolt holes and the larger half moon near the bottom. (as seen in the book)

What set of valves should be adjusted when these timing marks are aligned?

Thanks for the help, I'm been doubting myself since this pickle won't start.

Jethro

Once you have the crank and cam gears properly meshed, just turn the crank until #1 piston is at TDC and both #1 valves are completely closed, indicating that #1 is on the compression stroke. Adjust valves for #1. Turn the crankshaft 180 degrees and #3 will be on compression; set #3 valves. Turn the crankshaft 180 degrees further and #4 will be on compression; set #4 valves. Turn the crankshaft 180 degrees further and #2 will be on compression; set #2 valves.

If you want to reorient your distributor drive gear, put #1 piston at TDC on compression, then remove/reinstall gear in proper position.

Following is how to set your static timing with conventional points ignition.

Hint: Make sure you know the direction of rotation of the distributor rotor under normal running.

First set the crank position to number of degrees before TDC that you desire by backing it up and turning in the running direction until you hit your mark. Confirm that #1 cylinder is on the compression stroke by checking that the valves are completely closed.

Second, loosen the distrib body and rotate it backward until the point rubbing block is at the highest position on a cam lobe. Set the point clearance to spec.

Third, rotate the distrib body forward until the points close.

Fourth, put a test light in series across the points. In other words, hook one end of your light leads to the metal part of the movable point arm and the other lead to the distributor body (ground). Make sure the lead attached to the movable arm does not also contact a ground. The test light should come ON indicating a complete circuit.

Slowly rotate the distrib body backward just to where the test light just goes OUT, indicating that the circuit has broken. Hold the distributor body where it is and tighten the hold-down clamp.

Note which distrib cap terminal the rotor is now pointing at. Install #1 wire to this terminal and the rest around the cap in the proper firing order.

You should be good to go and correctly timed. Check with a timing light if you want to for any fine adjustment needed.