Distribator off by one tooth - Pulley casting number

[Merc Cruzer]

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

I suspect that the distributor is not correctly aligned with the drive gear.
With the #1 piston top dead center and pointer on the dot.
The rotor should be in line with the #1 position on the dist.cap
If it is not then pull out the dist. far enough to rotate to the next gear location that will put the rotor closest to the correct position on the cap when touching the clamp pad, then lock in place.

Disregard any previously installed markings on the clamp pad.
From this point the timing should be able to be set.

I was only able to confirm the TDC with the finger test. Finger in the plug hole and turn over the engine until it blows the finger out of the hole. Then line up the dot with the pointer. Cap on the distributor, pointer to #1 plug, pointer showing rotor position with cap off. I think this will confirm the one tooth off explanation. Looks like rotate one tooth counterclockwise?