I think I'd pull all the plugs and shoot about a 2-second squirt of WD40 into each hole. Leave the plugs out for now. Get an oil primer assembly from Summit, part #SUM-901010 for $19.95.
www.summitracing.com or you can use an old Chevy distributor shaft with the cam gear removed. Prime the motor (if the distributor is close to the firewall, you may have to use a flexible driveshaft between your primer shaft and your drill motor for your drill motor to clear because this is normally done on an engine stand). Keep the trigger down on your drill motor for a little while after it lugs down. Now turn the motor over for a few seconds without the plugs or distributor in the motor to distribute the WD40. Put a socket on the damper retainer bolt at the crank and turn the motor over until you begin to feel pressure with your thumb at the #1 spark plug hole. That will tell you that the motor is coming up on #1 compression. Continue to turn the crank slowly until your timing marks line up at about 10 degrees before top dead center. Use a long, straight slot screwdriver to align the oil pump slot so the distributor will drop in. Install the fork and fork retainer bolt to hold the distributor down. Install all spark plugs and run your wires clockwise according to the firing order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, with the #1 plug wire plugged in where the rotor is pointing. Fire the motor and set the timing.