[blykins]

Make sure he knows which cylinder is #1 cylinder....and make sure he knows that 1,2,3,4 are on the same side.....5,6,7,8 on the other. With that being said, yes, you can get an accurate reading measuring off the top of #1 compression stroke. You can use a dial indicator down the spark plug hole....when you find the apex of the stroke....that would be TDC. Then you can see how close your timing mark is.