1985 745t

Just got my new rebuilt distributor, read through the haynes instructions, and have a couple installation questions.

1. Do I really need to pull the cap and rotor? Haynes says I do, but isn't the rotor connected to the crossmember on the engine side, and isn't all I need to know which direction the rotor is actually pointed in? (so its the same as my current one).

2. I asked my indy mechanic a whiel back for some hints, and what I remember him saying was to just use a pen to make a mark, use the screw hole on the dist as a reference, and then just position the new one the same way. Is there anything else?

I'd obviously rather not pull it apart if I don't have to, and it seems like I can easily access the positioning bolts (two) that hold it to the head without removing the cap (which would seem a lot quicker and easier than installing the dist, then rotor, then cap.

Any hints and insight appreciated. Quick step by step would be very cool. :)

thanks,
rt