How to find tdc

No need to make this so complicated. No extra pointers, no worrying about "how far" it moves, or degree wheels. All you are needing to do is relate the original wheel mark to TDC on the original pointer if it's still there. The plunger of the stop does not need to be a specific height. All you need to do is stop the piston equi distance down in the bore, from TDC and move it far enough that the "over the top" area on the crank does not degrade accuracy. That is set by the plunger depth.

If the balancer is too dark to contrast with what you have, pencil, etc, put some masking etc tape on there

So far as pulling the plugs I never bother. I just starter / bump the engine until the mark is 'somewhere' near. If it ends up too close for the stop, just wrench it backwards 1/8--1/4 turn. You should not have to wrench the engine more than 1 turn in this whole deal.