Hi there folks it's been a while since I have been on here.We are just rebuilding a 96 motor and was just curious about the cam install before the pushrods and rockers are in. As long as the timing marks on the cams are in line do you just rotate the motor until the flat on the crank is lined up with the line on the cam plate and then proceed with the sprockets making sure there 2 marks are lined up? Is there any other way to tell if you are top dead centre on the compression stroke? Hope this makes sense..
Cheers...

 

Outer sprocket positions at TDC front and rear; assuming inner sprockets are properly aligned. If the dots on the inner sprockets are aligned, timing is done. Top photo is rear cylinder at TDC; rear is referred to as cylinder #1. Below photo is front (#2) cylinder at TDC.