ok,
just to add maybe a little light to a blind mans search,
when the points are just starting to open, you will be looking for the timing mark/line as stated.
The little marks are hard as hell to find, and I can't emphasize that enough.
once in a million, some thoughtful person has put white paint on the mark to highlight it (have you ever won the lottery?)
when you do find it, and it is there, make sure it is the correct one.
to help. you will feel the crank gets easier to turn when the piston is at top dead center. for just a degree of rotation.
Thinking while a good idea to use a dial indicator on the piston, most plug holes are over an exhaust valve, dammit
oh, one of those pen lights works well in the timing hole.