Timing check: Quick response needed!

[tmontague]

I just finished replacing the head gasket on my '02 Echo and will be firing it back up tomorrow. I followed the repair manual to set the timing but before I fire it up I want to make sure that it is perfect so that nothing is damaged. I hand cranked it and it turns fine with the typical resistance at certain parts of the crank turn.

Is there any way to check that I set the timing right in relation to the camshaft and crankshaft. Since it's a 2:1 ratio I want to make sure they are set together. Can this be done by turning the crank to TDC and putting something in cylinder one (the very left one in front of the passenger) and making sure that it is at the top?

thanks for the help