[Barnsnake]

Simply sticking something in the spark plug hole is not nearly accurate enough for establishing a timing mark. You need to get a piston stop and insert it into #1 spark plug hole. Adjust it so the the piston comes up against it at 30-40 degrees BTDC, then lock the setting. Make a temporary mark on the damper at the timing pointer. Manually rotate the engine backwards until the piston again hits the stop. Make another mark at that point. Carefully measure the distance between the two marks and make another mark exactly half way between them. That is true TDC for your timing pointer.

You can use exactly the same process to use a home-made timing pointer if the factory one is inconveniently located. Some stiff wire under a bolt head and then bent into a pointer works nicely. Once you get a true TDC for the new pointer, install a timing tape on the damper to get a full timing grid.