[Lynn Eades]

Tony, that was a very interesting post.
I think the timing jig is as much to set the dwell of the two sets of points as it is to time the dizzy, but as you say (once the dwell is sorted) then a timing light would be best. I have a timing jig but have not yet put it to use.
The only way to sort out TDC is to measure a given piston height before TDC and the same after TDC, marking both accurately and dividing it.
Dodge put a screw in plug in the cylinder head, so that you could put a rod down to the piston. Henry didn't feel the need.
My son in law has built a couple of Megasquirts. These fine bits of technology allow you to control all manner of engine functions by dialing up what is required on your laptop as you drive along.
It allows you to map the timing the fuel mix, max revs,close it down if it overheats, idle up, anything you can think of, in much the same way as F1 (well maybe a few years behind)
Anyhow it allows you to set up an advance curve which is controlled by the Megasquirt essentially deleting the need for a mechanical centrifugal advance mechanism.
It is aimed at a fuel injection set up, but could run just the spark side of things.
Just imagine running your flathead V8 with fuel injection via an injector/ sparkplug, using the carb for the control of airflow only.