Bruce, you are almost there! Once you have the water fixed and engine primed again (valve cover off), rotate the engine by hand till you have number one piston at the top. Watch the two front valves and down the spark plug hole to verify the piston location. Both valves will be closed. The timing marks should also be aligned.
At this point, you can advance the engine to the correct running timing marks, there should be TDC and a running mark isn't there?
Drop the distributor in and snug it but not so tight you can't turn it.
Ground the number 1 plug to the block and hook up the wire. With key on, twist the distributor back and forth to get a spark. It takes a bit to narrow in on it, but it can be done. This is as close as you can get with it apart.
Joe
