Hand turn over engine? Stick finger in spark plug hole and crank engine over with remote starter switch (hot to coil disconnected). Oh! My finger! Just kidding. My dad used to have me stick my finger in the number 1 spark plug hole while he cranked the engine over with the key. My finger has never been smashed. Even when I was a little kid.Take out number 1 spark plug put thumb over hole hand turn over engine you will feel the air pushing out, when it stops you just passed TDC by a hair. Put the distributor in with the rotor pointing to the number 1 spark plug.
When you go to start the car and it back fires through the carb you are 180 degrees out.
You can pull off the drivers side valve cover and watch the valves to make it a one shot deal.