Timing Issues...AGAIN!!!

It doesn't matter. As long as you can turn the distributor far enough in either direction to set the timing without the harness hitting anything, then it's fine. Now, there are some people out there who will try to tell you that it has to be put in on one particular tooth, but that doesn't make any sense and from my experience it doesn't make a difference. I've stabbed my distributor in atleast three or four different positions in the process of my motor swap and as long as I could rotate the distributor far enough without hitting anything it was good. It may help to have someone help with holding the timing light while you get the distributor turned and tighten the nut. Once I'd get mine loose enough to rotate it, the tension from the plug wires or the harness would cause it to move. I needed three hands to hold the light, turn the distributor, and tighten the nut.

When I have done the same in the past I get the dizzy back in pretty much lined up with rotor on #1, with #1 at TDC, with enough room that I can turn it to get the timing right. I'll pull the spout out, get my timing light and a friend. I have him crank the car over while I get it timed correctly. Otherwise its a pain cause it usually will start and then die if the timing is too far off.

I usually use RTV instead of the crappy cork gaskets but if the intake gasket comes with the rubber end seals I use them with a little rtv at each corner.