[dmac]

Best way to tell is by removing the vale cover and actually watching the intake valve closing. You can also get a good idea as to whether the balance has slipped a lot. You timing marks could be off.

[69Farburd]

If it was running good before you shut it off, your timing wasn't off 180 degrees. It could be now that you messed with it though. Have someone tap the ignition key while you hold your thumb over the No. 1 spark plug hole. When the compression blows past your thumb, you will know you are on the compression stroke. Then set your timing to zero with the rotor pointing at the number one spark plug wire. That should get you close enough to start it. Have you checked your spark plugs? If it is running rich, they could be fuel soaked from all that time spent idling. Next, pull your coil wire off the distributer cap and hold it close to the intake or something else metal, have someone crank the engine over and make sure you are getting spark.

[GOLDOHC]

Make sure your battery is good and fully charged. The spark should jump at least a half inch to ground