Setting the timing on a V6 1992 camry

I replaced the water pump and timing belt on my 1992, 6 cylinder camry. I lined up the timing marks on the driveshaft and on the camshafts, took off the distributor cap after marking the cylinder wires and I found the rotor was not pointing to the No. 1 lead location on the distributor. I hand cranked the engine 720 degrees and the rotor still did not end up pointing to the No.1 position. I then cranked another 360 and still no line up with No.1. I am somewhat confused on how to ensure the timing is set correct. The manual I'm following describes ensuring the No. cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke. I can do this, however if I do and the drive pully marks all line up and the rotor still does not point to the No. 1 postion marked on the distributor cap , what do I do from there ? I should mention I am replacing the cap and rotor.
I would appreciate some clear help on the steps to take to ensure my timing is correct.
Thanks in advance.

When you replaced the timing belt did you match up the timing marks first before you took off the belt? If you moved them after there 180'd out and if they all match up now I'd pull the distributor and put it at the no.1 firing point. That v6 is the 3vze right cause thats what my runner has and that water pump not a fun one. Did mine a year ago kinda a pain. Hope that helps, Will

When you replaced the timing belt did you match up the timing marks first before you took off the belt? If you moved them after there 180'd out and if they all match up now I'd pull the distributor and put it at the no.1 firing point. That v6 is the 3vze right cause thats what my runner has and that water pump not a fun one. Did mine a year ago kinda a pain. Hope that helps, Will

Thanks Willy.

The V6 is the 3vze. I was thinking of removing the distributor and setting the No.1 firing point setting to where the rotor is pointing when all the timing marks are lined up as they are now, but I'm not 100% sure that this is the thing to do.
You agree with my thinking and I'm glad to know someone else thinks the same way, but I would feel even better if someone could tell us absolutley that this is the way to go.

When I did my water pump I used a chilton/haynes manual. Recently I replaced my distributor and went through the same process of aligning all the timing and TDC on compression on #1, I'd still try to check more info though. Never can be to sure when it comes down to a motor. Check this thread it's for a 93 truck but it's the same engine http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=408565 and it goes over some motor stuff. G/L, Will

So what ever happened?? Just curious.

Good morning Willy,

I looked at the thread and it really didn't give me a definite. I looked at the firing order from the manual which is straight forward 1,2,3,4,5,6 and calculated if #1 is at TDC then #4 would be at BDC. I'm going to measure the difference which should be the maximum stroke length and if that is the case I will know for certain #1 is at TDC and the position of the rotor should point to the #1 lead point on the distributor cap. If it doesn't then I assume the distributor should be removed and reinstalled to allow the rotor to point to the #1.
I'm still not sure if this is the solution...but that's my thinking at this time.

Your comments and input are certainly welcome.
Thanks.