the easiet way i have found to do this by myself in the car..is get engine to TDC, make sure #1 valves (int/exh) closed ( valve cover off) and physcally verify #1 piston is up. (spark plug out ,use flash light etc..)..its possible to have the harmonic balancer on TDC but the piston be down in the cylinder ( over lap)...once verified the piston is up and balancer TDC..Go ahead and manualy roll balancer around to the desired total timing desired.
look down into distributer hole into intake and see which way the slot is pointed..i normally take a long flat head screw driver and turn it (slot) to which ever direction the slot is on the bronze gear after having the rotor button point toward #1 piston as you drop in distibuter..
this works well for me ..plus i am a one man show..gotta do things one man can do without help of another.
hope this helps.
Brian
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Bjuice..
"I'M YOUR HUCKLEBERRY ! "