Could I install head for that side of the block that #1 is located on and use a vacuum/compression gauge to find TDC compression stroke along with the marks on the balancer? here's a link to a video that does just that, but I'm unsure if it will work. Also once TDC on compression is obtained what mark on the balancer do I line up with the line on the timing cover?

 

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As the engine is coming up on TDC exhaust the exhaust lifter will be approaching it's apogee. At that point you know you can trust that on the next rotation you will be aligning the engine and balancer marks on the correct stroke and not 180° out

 

I'm not familiar with camshaft synchronizers, but I can tell you how to find tdc on compression stroke. Put a wrench or socket on crankshaft bolt and turn to right(tightening). Watch your lifters for #1 cylinder as you turn crankshaft. When piston is coming up and nearing top, exh lifter will be moving down and int lifter will be moving up as you turn. This is tdc on overlap stroke. Keep turning, int lifter will go up as the piston goes down. When the piston starts back up, the int lifter will go back down. When piston gets to top it will be tdc on compression stroke. If you keep turning, exh lifter will start to rise after piston is near bottom. You can turn several times if need be to figure where you are at.

 

how would I go off cam rotation, the lifter are in. could i go off up those if so, what would they look like when cylinder one is at TDC compression.

 

Since the crankshaft rotates twice for every complete rotation of the camshaft without either the CMP or heads installed you have a 50-50 chance of getting TDC compression wrong just going by the alignment marks. You will need to either install the bank one head to ensure cylinder one is coming up on compression or go off the cam rotation