How are you seeing the timing gears- - - - -do you have the front cover off the engine? If it's only a distributor timing issue, (not valve timing) do this: Loosen the bolt for the "octane selector" and center it in its slot, then lock it down again. Now, loosen the slotted screw under the distributor housing that allows the housing to turn, and set the timing that way. With the ball and pointer aligned, rotate the distributor housing counterclockwise until the points just barely open. Lock the screw down and be sure the points stay in the same position. The engine will be timed close enough to start. Then you can do a fine adjustment with the engine running, with a timing light and the octane selector, if necessary.
Jerry
