A buddy of mine (a mechanic) and I tore apart my 350 to replace the head gaskets. We were real precise with diagramming on break down and reconnecting on build. However, we are having timing trouble and the engine won't start.

Notes:

• Valves adjusted
• Spark plug wire replaced (spark plugs were great)
• Connected spark plug wires in correct firing order (confirmed on multiple websites)
• Confirmed Top Dead Center

We believe that it is the distributor. We think that perhaps the rotating interior component is not starting at firing position 1. We are going to remove the cap, re-align the interior component to firing position 1, replace cap, TDC the engine, then turn it over hopefully.

Any ideas, comments, questions are welcome. Please note that wires, connections, etc have all been re-checked and will continue to be until resolved.

You said that you confirmed TDC but did you confirm that was TDC of the compression stroke and not TDC of the exhaust stroke?

Got to watch the valves.

Did you confirm valve timing?

Yes, we made sure that TDC was on the compression stroke of piston #1. Good answer, thank you!

I would replace the Ignition Control Module (ICM), AutoZone DR178, $82.99--super easy job.

If it ran before you did this work, then it's 99% likely that it won't run because you put something together wrong. Double check vacuum lines, firing order, distributor, all connections. You probably have the distributor out by 180 degrees or something simple like that. I know you said you checked these things but do it again to be sure.

The distributor is in 180 degrees out. Pull the distributor out, reset the engine to TDC , check TDC on distributor, and then set advance to approximately number 1 spark plug.
Have worked on A LOT of these engines... timing is the key. Don't replace the ignition module,, if it worked before the tear down, it is working now. Good Luck.
Buy yourself a Haynes Manual (AutoZone). All of the set up is in there.