my timing in my 86 is all out of whack. i dont have a timing light so i was going for getting the #1 piston to top dead center to get it back to normal. how do i know when its at top dead center?

 

First of all why is your timing all out of wack? Did you replace or mess with the distributor lately? It is much easier with a timing light, but this is something I found on the internet.

While the head is off, the true TDC can be found with a 'dial indicator' (also referred to as a 'clock gauge') and then a notch can be filed on the front pulley to line up with the new pointer. A little dab of white paint makes lining them up by eye easier.

What's the point of all this you may well ask, well the point is that you can now accurately time the ignition without either having to lay on your back, or use mirrors!
What you will need though is a timing light with an adjustable dial on the back which reads off the degrees of advance.
These are the more expensive type so you may want to find someone ("a friend") with one.