[Karl Bebout]

Mystery how the engine got out of time, just from changing the distributor cap, IF the plug wires were put back on the same terminals they came from. Without pulling a valve cover, you can get a good idea of TDC by feeling the compression stroke through the spark plug hole. When you feel the compression and your timing mark is close to TDC, the rotor should be pointing at the #1 cap terminal. See what you have. At least this should give you a starting point.