Can't find me book, may have thrown it!!
There WILL be some marks on the front pulley, get this in aligment with the metal pointer, which on a "KOLN", "cologne" engine(german) will be at about the 8 o'clock position, now line the SCRIBE mark on the dizzy body on the upper surface that the cap sits on so that the rotor arm points to this mark.
The timing can be set with a strobe once running to 9 degrees BTDC, with the vacuum disconnected, cylinder no1 is at the front left as you look at the engine facing the car.
Don't have details for the ESSEX engine I'm afraid so can't help.
tabetha