The JD manual for my Yanmar motor suggests the fuel spill method.

After trying it I decided it was

far too crude for a setting that has to be plus or minus one degree.

The tantalizing thing was that through the gear access port I could see the corresponding mark
("B") on the idler pulley.

The manual warns however that due to an odd number of teeth, this mark does not always
indicate Top Dead Center (TDC).
The way I should have marked them to be able to put the pump back in to the tooth. But the shop
manual is pretty rotten on these and other points.

I tried rolling the engine around until the "Bs" "lined up" but it turns out that this is not reliable
either. So here's how I did it.

Step 1. Realize that although "B" only lines up with TDC once in a blue moon, "b" wants to line up
with TDC every revolution. So, rotate the crankshaft until the "b" is in sight,

Step 2. Turn the crankshaft to TDC on the flywheel (make sure it's TDC on the compression
stroke.), On my motor the alignment marks are for cylinder #3 TDC not #1.

Step 3. Mark the center of where the two gears mesh exactly.

Step 4. Remove gear from pump (enough so that the pump doesn't turn with the crankshaft.
Rotate the crankshaft until the marks align.

Voila. I know this works because I ended up tearing down the engine and the
timing was spot on.

Of course, this is for a Yanmar motor in a JD 855. It may not apply to your situation.
 TORQUES

CULATA:
NUTS=43#, BOLTS=43,87,116-130#, BOLT #5&6=20,40,55 FT/LBS

BIELAS: 48 FT/LBS

BANCADAS:
HOUSING: 48-53 FT/LBS * * REAR HOUSING TORQUE: 32-36
FT/LBS, HOUSING-BLOCK: 59 FT/LBS

VOLANTE: 55 FT/LBS, USE NEW BOLTS