318 Idle Questions

That really sounds like it jumped time because of a sloppy timing chain.
It is also possible that the balancer ring has moved, but usually when the timing mark jumps around it's the timing chain.

You can get it close if the balancer has moved by getting the number one cylinder to TDC and making a new zero mark, then set the timing again using the new marks.
If I remember right, every quarter inch on the balancer is 5 degrees.

I think this is what I'm going to have to do for now. It's weird because when it is at 1600 and idling with the vac advance, the mark is visible around 10-15. If I rev it, it does get to what looks to be 30ish. Which seems accurate? Or with the vac advance should it be significantly more?

Is there an easy way to find TDC without turning the actual crank with a socket? Can it be done by turning the engine by key?