It's really hard to advance or retard timing when it's so hard to see the marks on the pulley with a timing light! Do you guys have any tips or suggestions on reading the timing marks better? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

put some white paint (paint marker) on them

 

You do have the clip installed in the ECU jumper, correct? If not, the ECU will make the timing marks jump around because it's constantly compensating. Make sure you're following the correct procedure ...the mark should stay remotely steady.