I'm stupid. Any magical ways to install a distributor fast?

[MikePL]

I am upgrading my alternator and I kept telling myself for days or even weeks before starting the mod: don't forget to mark your distributor. I kept telling that to myself numerous times, even some 10 minutes before disassembly.

The I disassembled the distributor from the cylinder head, I got excited how nicely it spins, spun it a few times and realized I forgot to mark it. Duuuh...

I know the trick with removing the spark plug and putting the crankshaft at TDC and assembling it all back together. I also know that I have a 50% chance and if the truck doesn't start I will need to rotate the crankshaft 360 degrees etc.

I was hoping to insert a mini camera through the distributor opening in order to look at the notches on the cams until I realized that, per the FSM, the notches are from the other side, the unreachable one.

Any other ideas? Some tricks that will make it a 15 min job?

 

[baldilocks]

The sure bet would be to remove the valve cover, bring #1 piston up to TDC confirming all valves show clearance between cam lobes and the followers. Install the dizzy referencing the fsm.

 

[robnicko]

pull #1 plug and put a long dowell in there, rotate to tdc when dowell is at its highest. line up the dizzy to approx 11am & try.
if that doesnt start then rotate dizzy 180degrees and it should start, then set timing