ok, i haven't put the timing cover on yet so I can make sure the marks line up on the cam gear and crank gear and cylinder 1 is at TDC. My question then is the distributor. i assume when i install the distributor at this time, the rotor should be pointing at cylinder 1 terminal. How do I know where this is on the cap ? then once i figure that out as long as the rotor is pointing at cylinder 1 terminal then it doesn't matter how i put the distributor in the whole (as long as the vacuum advance is pointing in the correct direction (does it point to the master cylinder or passenger side ?), then drop it in and make sure the gears engage ?

thanks for the help as always.