Cam degreeing help me understand!

OK we are moving forward here. Try 360° instead of 180° so you are at TDC on #1, but at the same time it will be up on compression stroke on #6 and your cam dots will be 6 on the cam and 12 on the crank.

Now look at the intake and exhaust lifters on #1 cylinder, they should be at the same heights. The intake and exhaust cam lobes will be in transition from exhaust valve closing and the intake valve just starting to open at the top of the stroke on #1.

Straight Up Timing