no idea where the timing is.

OK you want to get the distributor in time. I posted to "retard" because that's the way I do it, easier to retard the dist. and slowly "bring it back" and then stop it where you want

The SPARK happens at the instant the points open, so by swinging the dist towards advanced (from retard) and then STOPPING it at the instant the points open, you have established the timing point.

Now on electronic (breakerless) distributors, you really "don't know" exactly where they fire, because as the reluctor wheel rotates past the center of the pickup coil, it first generates either a positive or negative pulse (depending on type of system) and then immediately the opposite pulse. ONE of these pulses (depending on the system) fires the electronic module and "makes the spark."

So since you don't know EXACTLY where this happens, the closest you need to get is really just put the "tit" of the reluctor wheel in the center of the pickup.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE this better, AFTER you have gotten the engine running and timed, let's say you used your light and timed the engine to 16*. It's running good. OK. Now wrench the engine around carefully and stop it so the marks are right at 16--or where you set the timing.

Now pull the dist cap and look and see where your reluctor wheel/ pickup coil are sitting. That should show you how this relates.

Hope this helps.