[pfilean]

You can put the motor at 12 BTDC for #1 (if that's where you want your initial at ), install the distributor where you want, ground #1 plug (or attach a timing light?) and with the ignition on, rotate the distributor slowly until the plug (or timing light?) fires. You should be on 12 BTDC, correct?

I used to use that technique on old Chevy 6s using a test light from the + terminal on the distributor to ground. If the light was on the points were open and when it went off the points closed. Never thought about using it on an HEI with a timing light.