Your ideal sounds fine. Although once the pump is disengaged . You turn the crank one complete turn and then keep going until you get to your timing mark on the damper you want. This takes and keeps the slack out of the situation that could occur .If you were to turn the engine backwards. In other words you are looking to turn the crankshaft two rotations or very close to that to get where you want to be.

Plus keeps the injection pump on the right cycle. If anyone can give a better explanation please do so. This method gives you a better chance of setting the pump midrange in the adjustment slot.