the harmonic balancer has a stripe on it THAT IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE TIMING MARK
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You set the timing after you get the engine running.
Put the engine on TDC at 0 degrees, The crank goes around twice so when the timing mark is at 0 you are either on TDC #1 cylinder or TDC #6 cylinder. Pull the #1 plug and stick a screwdriver in the hole to feel if the piston up to confirm you are on the #1 cylinder. Replace the plug and wire.
Install the distributor so that the rotor is pointing to the correct location (a little bit counterclockwise from straight forward) Install the hold down and snug it down to a point where you can still turn the distributor with a little effort.
You don't say what carbureator you are using but if it is a 4 barrel
Like this one, you can pour gas down into the tube looking hole towards the front to fill the bowl. This will supply enough gas to get the engine started and run for about a minute. If your fuel lines are hooked up it should start pulling its own gas from the tank by then.
Have your assistant try starting the engine, It may fire and run right away or it may not. If not then while it is cranking turn the distributor slowly each direction until it fires, when it fires and runs get out the timing light and set it to the proper degree.
