Jesse,

        I had similar problems after my head gasket replacement last year.  I
am no expert and got mucho help from the list, but here is what I
remember and can tell you (let's assume that this is a test for my and
so don't jump on me for anything I say wrong just correct me!)
        Bentley's picture for the rotor is definitely not correct for my 91
GL, so assuming that your 88 (?) is similar then at TDC the rotor
should line up with the notch in the distributor body which on my Van
is the lower right hand quadrant as you are standing at the back of the
van.  That should correspond with  the spark plug wire that goes to
cylinder #1 which is on the passenger side closest to the firewall.  If
you crank the engine by hand 180 degrees clockwise the distributor will
rotate 90 degrees counterclockwise to cylinder #4.  So the rotor will
now be facing the lower left quadrant of the distributor body, and
should be pointing to the wire that goes to cylinder #4 which is on the
driver's side farthest from the firewall.  Another 180 degree clockwise
crank and the rotor is now pointing to the upper left quadrant (180
degrees away from where it was at TDC and note that you TDC mark will
again be visible and be lining up with the crankcase seam, but this
isn;t TDC!)  This is for cylinder #3 (driver's side nearest firewall).
One more 180 crank and rotor is now pointing to the upper right hand
quadrant, cylinder #2 (passenger side farthest from firewall).  One
more 180 degree crank and you are back to where you started.
        Hope this helps, and the list will tell you if I got it all right.

Dan Erlandson
Flemington, NJ
1991 Vanagon GL 183k
1999 Passat 1.8L 133k