I had a thought: Back when he was working on the engine install, when it was up and running Bill sent me a photo of the engine from dead center. Why not use that photo as a reference?
I pulled up that photo and looked at the distributor in the photo, and then I looked at the distributor in front of me. I was standing in the same place as Bill's camera was when he took the photo. My distributor was definitely misadjusted now, in a counter-clockwise direction. So I loosened the clamp and adjusted it clockwise.
As it happens, the distributor was turned counter-clockwise (advanced? *) as far as it would go. I turned it clockwise until it matched the photo that Bill sent me. Now it should be close enough to where I can see the mark with a timing light.
I also rigged up a bungee cord to pull the coolant hose out of the way so that I will have both hands free. This car always forces me to think creatively.
But dusk brings the mosquito swarm, and I am delicious to them, so the garage stays closed until tomorrow.
Thanks, gang!
--
* The rotor spins clockwise, so I believe turning the distributor counter-clockwise advances timing. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.