[RichardJ]

If you have everything covered, then what is the issue?

>>until it drops down. The distributor gear is engaged even though the oil pump is not.<<

If it drops down, then it should be in the pump ????

>>plug should fire just as the points open. I've seen the suggestion of using a ohmmeter to determine when the points open.<<

All true. You can even use a 12 volt test light.

That will show the dist points are working. It won't show if the rotor is lined up with the #1 plug wire or not. It won't show if you have mistakenly set the engine on #6 Compression Stroke, better known as #1 Exhaust Stroke.

The goal is to fire the #1 spark plug and fire it at the correct time. If a plug on the end of the #1 plug wire fires statically, it shows you have set everything up correctly from the plug BACK.