Timing position of the distributor

The rotor should be pointing at the plug wire on the cap for whatever cylinder you have on TDC.

TDC is when the plug fires so the rotor is what delivers that spark to the cap, then to the wire, then to the plug so the rotor should be pointing at the plug wire of that cylinder.

So I assume you are at top dead center on number 1. Before you remove the cap, use a sharpie and put a line on the body of the distributor when number 1 plug tower is, so that the mark remains there after you remove the cap. Then remove the cap and with the engine at TDC on number one the rotor should be pointing to the line you just made (or just in front of it depending on what your base timing is set at).

Let us know if you have other questions. Thanks