TDC is marked on the crank pulley and the compression stroke begins after the INTAKE valve opens. Remove #1 spark plug to and make sure you have the compression stroke. If you put your thumb over the spark plug hole you will feel the pressure building on the compression stroke as you turn the engine.
Turn the engine clockwise by the crank pulley bolt, never turn it CCW. Turn the crank and set the pointer to the TDC (0) mark, which should correspond to the FIRST time the piston raises to the top after the intake valve opened and closed. Then turn the distributor until the rotor points to the terminal for #1 cylinder (that should be at 5 oclock as viewed from the pass side), and clamp it down. Now double check the other wires after you replace plug#1 and wire it. The engine should start - if it doesn't, you have another problem.
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