1979 Chevy Monte Carlo timing

Engine Mechanical problem
1979 Chevy Monte Carlo V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

setting up timing on a new install from top dead center (spark plug #1) how do you find the right timing degrees to get it running so that you can use a timing light to set the timing to correct firing how is the timing set without the car running as it won't start, do you just turn the distribitor until it catches?
thank for your help