Spark plug thingy - get an old spark plug and take the centre gubbins out. Weld or glue a piece of steel in the end long enough so that it touches the piston at 10-15 degs BTDC (glue or weld well - you don't want it to come out!). Turn the engine roughly to 20 degs BTDC and put the plug in. Turn the engine over and bring it up to the stop - mark that point. Then turn the engine back the other way and bring it carefully upto the stop again. Halfway between these two points is TDC. See:
HELPTOPICS
The best reason for using a priming tool is that nothing else is moving so nothing is moving without oil while you're getting it up to pressure. Also saves pressure on the starter motor.
On the bores, I'd agree that a rebore and oversized rings is probably the better solution but knowing how worn these engines can be and still run fine I doubt you'll have any problems. If it was me though I'd do a compression and leak down test for peace of mind - that way you will know that everything is fine.
The other thing I did on my engine was drill two holes between the valley and the front cover - through the aluminium webbing. It increases the drain back of the oil to the sump but also assists in lubricating the timing chain and dizzy gear which can wear quite badly on these, particularly with an aftermarket cam. Obviously be very careful to recover all the swarf (easier if you turn the engine upside down).
On that point, have you got a cam retaining plate? Just a circle of steel with two bolts which locates on a ridge in the cam shaft behind the timing gear. If not, I'd be inclined to install a cam button - they are not much money and prevent cam walk which causes excess wear to the dizzy gear as well.
These are all easy jobs that it will be worth doing while you've got the engine out and not much cost.
Have you changed the pressure relief valve in the oil pump - good idea to change that and check that it moves freely - again easy to do now, cheap and a sod to do when its in the car. When you have it out you can also drill and tap a 10mm hole in the bolt that retains the spring to make the relief valve adjustable to ensure your oil pressure is in the right range.
All depends on how far you want to go, but those little mods will give you a lot more peace of mind for little effort and expense. I did however take 9 months to build that engine up with all the little mods that I did!! Don't even start on the porting!!