problem - removed dizzy with out setting to #1
tried to align it by the crank and the cam but to no avail cuz the motor is old
and the marks are hard to tell (maybe my eyes just suck)
though i would have had it set enough to get it to start last night but it just cranks
any insight would be nice

 

just removing the distributor will not change your static timing (sync of bottom end and top end) it only goes in the way it came out because of the keyway in the cam.

If all you did was take the distributor off, just put it back and the static timing will be as it was before.

Now, if you are concerned about ignition timing being messed up because you did not mark the top bolts holder: is the large single mark there on the crank pulley, the one you use for static timing? You can use a timing light with advance feature to set the timing however you want using that mark....that mark should not be missing on the crank pulley. Just put the gun at whatever timing you want, lets use 16 degrees as an example...program gun to 16 degrees and turn distributor until the gun lights up the lone white mark on the crank pulley.