I advanced the distributor to the point that it kicked back on the starter, backed it off and it didn't start. Quick easy way to rule out timing.
Not always. My boss had the wires set up wrong on a GM HEI on a new 350 we were tinkering with. Had compression all day long, kicked back on the starter with advance, firing order was completely wrong.
Just to be certain of everything in the ignition, just so you know nothing moved from the crank to cam to ignition to spark plug, I would suggest checking the really simple stuff, all the way. It's better to know, than to try and skip steps.
Sometimes it's really simple stuff that we know better than to do, that kicks our asses. It happens to the best.
This is the order I diagnose and move to the next step if it checks out-
-plug gap
-wire order
-compression cycle against rotor (this is a must)
-rotor/ reluctor position against pickup/ dist. body position on engine
-reluctor gap
-voltage at coil feed wires
-coil discharge on key start position at the plugs (all of them)/ bypass at relay
-coil discharge on key run position at the plugs (all of them) can be checked by removing the distributor, grounding the body and rotating the shaft by hand with the key on)
-
-Distributor cap phasing against housing (sometimes those tabs bend and caps can crack, allowing the cap to shift)
-fuel (give it known good fuel, by hand if needed for diagnostic)
-air (butterfly operation and hoses for possible vacuum leaks)
-timing against a light
-leak down test
-pushrod check
-lifter check (hydraulic throw/ movement and tappet surfaces)
-leakdown on coolant system for suspected internal leak, killing combustion from blown head gasket, etc.
-grenade
. I'll turn it into scrap b4 I ever pay anyone to work on it.
