1974 D300 360 fresh rebuild will not start

Well I don't agree. The simple fact is it is MUCH easier to see if the dots are aligned when doing it by the book....AKA dot at 12 on the crank, 6 on the cam.

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Just line up the dots as per normal...... rotate the crank one turn....... install distributor for number one.
Easy peasy.

However, I just use the “finger” method myself.

None of this will address the 60psi cranking pressure though.