Firing Order for a 340

"Basics" are compression, fuel and spark

Compression........enough of it......somewhere around at least 75 psi or better.

Fuel.......fresh, not sour, and you can throw a little down the carb if the pump is not working, etc. Check for fuel from the carb accelerator pump

Spark.......A good hot spark AND AT THE RIGHT time

You can easily check and you should learn to do so. That IS correct, are you going clockwise?

1...Do you have good spark and does the engine "try" to fire or backfire, or just turn over? Test the spark, don't use the resistor coil wire if used. "Rig" a solid wire to a test gap and crank the engine using the key. Should have a nice fat blue spark at least 3/8" and more typical 1/2"

2....Timing/ distributor............Did it run previously, what did you do that it quit?

To check proper timing, pull no1 plug, stick your finger in the hole and bump the engine by jumpering the start relay, the two largest exposed posts. When you feel compression against your finger, stop. Bump the engine or turn with a wrench while watching for the timing marks to come "up."

Set the mark NOT at TDC but rather "where you want" timing, at least 10BTDC on a dead stock 318, and 10-15 or more for a stock 340 or mild cam

Now pull the cap and look where the rotor is coming "up" going clockwise to what wire tower? THIS TOWER is where no1 wire should be

3....If you have a timing light you can set timing "on the starter." If not, adjust the distributor so the points "just open" or the reluctor is centered in the pickup coil

At this point the engine should fire IF it has fuel and compression AND IF the timing chain has not slipped or other problems, IE bent valves, etc.