I have everything hooked up but have never done this part of
dialing the engine in.I used my pulleys off original engine so the marks
wont work.Pulled #1 spark plug and all I can see is lifter and pushrod?

_________________
Since I bought my 63 my guitar
has taken the back seat.

what are you doing that you need tdc on #1? you need a long screw driver in the sparkplug hole and rotate the engine untill you can`t feel the piston moving. rotate the engine by hand don`t crank it with starter.

This engine im putting in had the distributor removed, was hoping to get it
started today but a couple of my buddys that are good at this wont be back
until tomorrow .Its a tight engine and theres no bolt to turn with . Not comfortable with wife turning engine with key , thought maybe of pulling
valve cover off , isnt there a way I could check by the rocker position?

_________________
Since I bought my 63 my guitar
has taken the back seat.

yes if you have the valve cover removed and #1 plug out, watch the intake valve on #1, second valve from the front, turn the engine with the starter untill the intake valve is fully closed.then bump the starter to move the cranks a few inches after the valve stops moving.then check with a long screwdriver and feel were the piston is, that should get you at tdc on #1.

Thanks for info

_________________
Since I bought my 63 my guitar
has taken the back seat.