Some will find this useful (points distributors) others interesting but not useful (electronic distributors).
The first step is to move your crankshaft to factory specs, in my case it would be 5 degrees BTDC for a 225 V6. I highlight the timing marks with a whiteout marker. Most move the crank using a socket and ratchet on the crank nut but I find it easiest to put the tranny in the highest gear and rock the Jeep while I watch the timing marks, obviously you can only do this with a standard tranny. It doesn’t take any effort to move the Jeep and there is no need to crawl under it as well. If you go beyond the timing mark make sure you go all the way back and come at it again to account for the slack in the timing chain.
Next loosen the lockdown bolt so the distributor moves freely. Remove the cap and the low tension lead from the distributor. Attach a 12v test light tip to the end of the low tension lead and the other end to something hot.
It’s hard to see in the daylight but with the crank in the correct position the test light is on.
Hold the rotor clockwise and rotate the distributor clockwise “just” until the light goes out. That’s it, tighten down the lockdown bolt and your done. Doesn’t get any easier then that.
