Comparing minee to yours, you see that tab coming off the distributor by the keg? That's where #1 should be

 

Thanks all for the input.

I'm still asking where the rotor should point to in relationship to the ENGINE, not on the distributor/CMP. I need to make sure that the cam and crank are in alignment, so let's not pay attention to the tab on the housing or the notch on the CMP pick up plate.

The timing set is a Cloyes but I'm not sure which one as it was done 2 years ago. I don't remember ever touching the distributor drive shaft when replacing the set so I'm thinking there's been a slip somehow. The reason I'm asking is because tearing back into the timing chain is a weekend project I'd like to be sure is necessary before I do.

Some people tell me it should point directly at the #8 cylinder, others say the #1 cylinder or front right headlight, and some say it should point to a mark or screw on the back of the manifold itself. MoparFanatic seems to be saying it should be directed at the keg for tdc. Thus, the query here...

 

The reason you're getting different answers is that the distributor has nothing to do with the cam/crank alignment, it's merely driven by the cam. The rotor can point any which where it wants to at #1 TDC, as long as the (infamous) fuel sync is set correctly and the plug wires are in the right positions the engine will run. There might be practical reasons to clock it a certain way like the wiring for the pickup or on older engines the vacuum advance not interfering with adjustment. The picture in the FSM has the rotor point to cylinder 8 when cylinder 1 is at compression TDC. But again, that's not a critical adjustment and can vary a few degrees depending on the gear mesh between the cam and distributor drive.

 

Thanks! Yezzer, the fuel sync and spark will be based off of how we position the distributor as it gets interpreted through the PCM via CMP. For sure.
But if my cam is off from my crank, that's all misinformation to the PCM and the beast won't be breathing right due to valve timing being off, which is what it feels like I'm experiencing.

The rotor is a visual reference for the camshaft's position.
Assuming I didn't ever pull the dizzy drive gear, I'm hoping the rotor direction can tell me if the cam is in alignment with my crank still.

Any chance you could share the pic from the FSM?

 

All the manuals are here: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...e-manuals.html

It's in section 8D Electrical/Ignition

 

Yes I said comparing it to mine when #1 is tdc (verified) it's pointing at the keg. I'll check another second gen I have.

 

Thanks, amigo. From what I see in that section, the image you may be referring to is one that I've seen before - it's really just describing the firing order and engine cylinder layout, not giving a precise direction. Good to have access to the manual though, so thanks for including the link!

Still on the hunt...

 

That's what I suspected. Man, if you can confirm, that'd be swell, thanks.
...before I pull the timing cover again.
Blast.

 

I looked at my other second gen and it is pointing at roughly between the 6/8 cylinder. So I am at a lose to where it should point

 

Where the rotor points in relation to the engine itself really doesn't matter over much, so long as number one cylinder on the cap is correct, and the relationship between the rotor, and the cam position sensor are correct, the engine will run right.