Silly Timing question

Lets hope that the 12$ is at fault here and you can borrow a 3-400$ snap-on timing light to be sure that I use.To confirm the timing marks,can you bring the Number 1 piston to TDC and check where the mark on the dampener is in relationship to the timing mark on the cover,you could have a miss match of to parts.If they do not match,you need to make your self a positive stop to find true TDC rotating forward and making a mark,and rotating counter clockwise and making a mark,the distance halfway between the two marks is TDC.You then check to see where this is with your cover and dampener.Mrmopartech