I am looking for any suggestions on properly timing a 1974? I have burned up a starter in my first attempts. The engine ran fine in an Electra I have it now in a '69 Skylark. If there is any reference material also I would be glad to acquire it if available. Thanks in advance for any feedback.
400stage1

IS THE ENGINE RUNNING OR DID YOU HAVE THE DISTRIBUTOR OUT AND NEED TO TIME IT AND REINSTALL?

Please explain how you burned up your starter? Something is really wrong with this picture. Tom

I'm not sure what 400stage1 needs to know but I assume he had the distributor out and can't get it back in time thus he cranked the starter till it burnt up. They ain't gonna start with the dist out of time! He needs to set the engine on top dead center and install the dist. on #1 . This will work on any engine!!!!!!

P.S GET A SERVICE MANUAL!!!! IT'S ALL IN THERE!!!!!

You need to make sure you have spark and fuel. What did you remove/change between removing it and reinstalling the engine in the two cars?

once you have spark and fuel, set the motor to 1 top dead and back to 6 degree before. Buick motors are set in factory design to 34-36 degree before top dead by motor makers. set the mark back on the harmonic balance aprox 15/16 inch and the start motor, with motor running rev to 2500 rpm and till torqueconverter sets and you have real revs, set the new mark to 4-6 degree and you have 34-36 degree topdead, plug vacuum advance and run with out vacuum from now on. and you will have buicks real timing. refer to 'guide to buick performance" by Dove at your favorite book dealer. This book will do all your needs to time and settings on a 455.