probably better that way. i take the valve cover off so i can see what the valves are doing for sure, then take the plug out and take a small wood dowel and spin the pulley around watch for compression stroke the dots should line up. then take the dist rotor draw a line on the base where #1 plug wire is on the cap. take the cap off and line this mark up as exact as you can with the rotor put it back and try it should be close enough

Set engine at top dead center and had to use a screw driver to turn fhe inner gear to allow fhe rotor button to line up with the number one cylinder. I got the engine to start but it ran horribld and filled the garage with white smoke. I stopped it. And it got harder and hader to crank til eventually it wouldnt crank at all. I pulled the plug on the number 5 cylinder and coolant poored out. Is the engine hydro locked? Is the head gasket bad as well?