I have a similar issue with a 99 Blazer 4.3L, but a slightly different problem. I found the compression stroke by bumping the starter and watching a compression gauge connected to the #1 plug hole. I can't find the alignment mark to line up the timing mark on the balancer. The haynes manual mentions a v shaped mark on the cover, the only one like that that I can even come close to seeing on the bottom of the cover (underneath the vehicle). Is this the right one? If not, can anyone point to where it is? Haynes also mentions being able to rotate the oil pump driveshaft so that the distributor can be set into place. The say to use a long screw driver to rotate it. Please don't laugh, but I tried and could not get a screw driver engaged with anything at inside where the distributor goes that would turn by hand. Any help would be appreciated.