gah i just lot a whole post lol.
Easiest way to set base timing without light is like so: (make sure your points gap is set BEFORE doing this - elec ign u can skip)
Remove plugs (makes turning easier!)
Cover hole plug #1 with finger and block it well
(when rotating crank have the dizzy cap off - see what direction its turning - prob counter clockwise)
Rotate crank clockwise - as u get to about 20 degrees BTDC check for air hissing past your finger. if nothing you are on the exhaust TDC, rotate crank 360 degrees, do it again. When you get air hissing past finger - turn slowly till you are at 10 degrees BEFORE the 0 mark.
NOW - leave crank as is - u were watching the distributor rotor right? Assuming it was turning anti clockwise -
** you have 2 ways to do this - shove a philips screw driver up plug lead for #1 and hold about 1mm from clean block metal - now turn the distributor housing CLOCKWISE till u hear it "TICK" / Arch - you have to move the distributor back and forth - like ur combing it till u get a good feel for the spot where it makes a tick / or sparks across from screwdriver. You want to stop turning the housing right on this mark - the ignition is basically firing right there. Since u left the crank at 10 BTDC this will fire right about there.. (if points, this is where the points RELEASE, NOT touch each other) - ** option 2 is to just connect a test light to the 2 points, when the light goes OUT there is your spark.
Thats will get ur motor running each and every time.
After u have bolted down distributor - u can basically turn motor back 15 degrees and slowly come forward (as if motor is running) - still holding the screwdriver in #1 plug lead 1-2mm from block, at about the 10 mark it should spark - ur good to go.
** You need POWER on the points for this to work (spark method) - be careful not to leave key on - coil will boil!
you can do this with test light with an internal battery and no power on ignition.
:)