hi matthew,
well the orientation of the #1 plug is generally at the 9'oclock position but as long as it is wired in the correct firing order it should run ok. The main reason for the position is if you have to adjust timing that position is the best angle for it plus i believe there is a mark on the body of the distributor and lines up with a mark on the block where it mounts (i seem to remember reading that in the service literature somewhere).

As for the vac line location routing... i'll see if i can find something on that. You can send me an email (in my signature) and i'll get that to you. I'm pretty sure you have 3 lines, one to the LP filter lockoff, a second one that connects to the governor and the 3rd one to the vac advance on the distributor. But to be sure let me take another look and i'll get that page to you.

That line to the valve cover is just a pcv line, it would probably work the same as connecting straight to the base of the mixer or straight into the intake.

And another note about that timing light, you can use that and double check the timing but if the engine starts and runs good and just has no power when accelerating i tend to think it may be some sort of fuel or air issue. But if you want to just do the timing light then sure, go ahead and double check that.