setting timing

any one know a fool proof way to put the distributor in and set time on a pre 85 2.0

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i have a remote starter switch hooked up and i have been bumping it over untill it feels like #1 it at tdc and lining my rotor button up with the #1 terminal on the dist. cap and it still won't start i think maybe i have it on the wrong stroke or something, but its starting to get on my nerves.