new engine question

[70 RAG TOP]

I need help w/ the process of setting the initial timing on my rebuilt 383. 
First, do i need eng oil in the engine if I am only going to turn the crank by hand?
Here is how i did it.(tell me if Im on the right track). 

I turned the engine over until the #1 piston was at the top of the cyl.  I think it was on the compression stroke because both rocker arms were  loose(both valves seated).  I then dropped the oil pump drive shaft in so that when the distributor shaft blade meshed in the pump drive shaft slot, the rotor was pointing over toward the #1 cylinder.  I then marked the dist. cap tower that was right above the rotor #1.
Is this the correct way to do it?  Any suggestions or corrections would be appreciated.

Also, what should the timing mark read for easy start-up?  I read somewhere that it was 10-12 degrees BTDC.

Thanks

[mopar12372]

1st its ok to turn engine over with out oil with tools.
 2nd prime engine oil pump before stabbing oil drive and dizzy  and setting timming 
 3 its ok to start and break in canm at zero then set timming after cam break in

[70 RAG TOP]

Thanks for your reply, but you didn't mention if my process was correct.  I want to be absolutely sure I don't mess anything up.

Thanks, Mike

[femtnmax]

From factory service manual:
With #1 cylinder at TDC firing position (both rocker arms loose as you said), verify that straight line on vibration damper is lined up with "0" degrees on timing indicator.  Sounds like you have done this.
For oil pump driveshaft, coat shaft and drive gear with oil and install drive gear so slot is parallel with center line of crankshaft.  Not sure if you did this.
Hold distributor with vacuum can pointed toward center of engine, turn rotor so it points forward and to approx location of #1 terminal on distributor cap.  Place distributor gasket in place, install distributor and engage oil drive shaft.  Rotate distributor clockwise until points just start seperating.  Tighten distributor clamp.

[Chryco Psycho]

you have it right , I usually align the reluctor & pick up with the engine sitting at about 25* BTDC

[70 RAG TOP]

Still have couple of ?s.

I have 2 caps: one is a black mopar cap with a #1 next to one of the towers.  However, the arrow is pointing in a clockwise dir.??  It came w the direct connection electronic ign/distributor kit.  The kit is definitley labled for a big block.   The firing order on my 383 shows CCW rotation. I guess that doesn't matter as long as I start with #1 tower and go CCW with the firing order.

Ialso have a tan colored cap which I want to use because it has the extra ribbing/ridges inside the cap( where the black cap is smooth.) which I read is better because it reduces the occurence of arcing between the lugs.  However this cap is NOT marked with a #1 on top of the cap.  I set up the timing with this cap by marking the tower right above the rotor(that is pointing toward #1 cyl. at tdc/compression stroke) and then following the firing order.

What are your thoughts?

[Chryco Psycho]

Use the tan cap , start with #1 above the rotor at TDC & follow the firing order CCW

[70 RAG TOP]

Thanks Chryco

[moper]

I think the OE type caps have the direction on them. But since the caps are totally interchangable besides those arrows, most non-resto caps don't have the arrows.