on a small block where should my rotor be pointing ad tdc. give or take... strait forwardish, passenger side forward ish ect?

rotor should point right around 5 or 6 o'clock (looking from front of engine), as long as it's pointing at the terminal post (dist cap) for the #1 cylinder.

typicaly you want it between 4 and 6[pointed at the d side head light], but ultamately it doesnt matter as long as it is at the #1 plug at tdc.

I always put my dist in where the rotor looks like it is 180° out (opposite of no.1 terminal) and they typically fire right up.

I just put the distributor in the engine. Theres no mounting boss in the trans for it.