Filling up the pump cavity with grease is a good trick that I had to do one time.
I had rebuilt my red motor and on first start had no oil pressure, filling the oil filter with oil and then trying to screw it on real quick didn't work.
Took the cover off and filled it up with grease after that the pump picked up very quick and problems were all over.
All rebuilds since I have done the same, works well.
As for the timing it has been covered well, just be real careful about fingers in holes with moving parts
, maybe use something like a straw or a bit of wire.
Cheers Michael