Got an '85 chev. 305 in a blazer. My old man pulled the distributor and didn't mark it. To my dismay, there isn't any timing tab on timing cover. I can figure out how to get it running, I just need help as to where the tab mounts and whether it's aluminum or steel, or if it even matters...

help

thanx - - Madjohnny

Timing tab what?  Timing marks are for guys who are afraid to get dirty.  Just get the engine running and listen to it.  That's the best way to time it anyhow.  Once you like how it idles run it through the whole RPM range and listen for knocks or backfires.  Find the place you like and test drive it.  If it doesn't feel like enough power adjust the distributor slightly one way or another until you like it.  Using a scratch awl to mark your starting point on the distributor so you can use it as a reference point.  

Here's what you can do to get it running.  You might need 2 people to do this... Set the #1 cylinder (front one on the driver's side) to Top Dead Center (TDC) Bump it with the starter or turn the crank by hand. The quick way to determine TDC is pull the sparkplug and put your finger over the hole so you can feel the compression stroke, or pull the valve cover and watch the valves.  With the cap on, mark the base distributor where the #1 plug wire is.  Take the cap off and install the distibutor, line the the tab on the rotor with the mark you made. This should get it close enough to start, then you'll have to adjust it by ear.  Or get a new timing cover that has the tab on it...