How to tell if i'm on compression stroke?

[paulmmc]

I had the heads off redoing gaskets, valves etc now i have the engine back together it will turn over but won't fire. Looking back through the Haynes manual i should have re-installed the distributor with the rotor arm just before cylinder one HT lead while cylinder 1 is at TDC of the compression stroke, but with the heads and all back together how can i tell if i'm on compression or exhaust stroke?
Cheers

[MuddyMike]

Stick a finger in No1 plughole. You will soon know when its coming up on compression. Then stick a thin tool in there to feel when its at TDC.

Mike

[Saffy]

proper way I guess would be to take rocker cover off and rotate engine and observe if it's the exhaust or inlet valve spring that's being compressed (open) on No1........ but normal do what he said ^^^

[Range Rover Blues]

IIRC you can see enough of the front rocker to know if you are on the changeover form exhaust to inlet or the top of the power stroke, assuming you have the timing mark on the crank correct. 

If the engine sweeps up to TDC and past it without the front rocker moving at all then you went through TDC on the power stroke, if it moves then you are 180 degrees out on the camshaft/dizzy and 360 degrees out on the crank.