Trying to time without the right tools

[flapjack]

I locked the cam with a piece of sheet metal, locked the pump by sticking a socket that fit pretty tight, but not perfect.
The car starts up and idles ok, I've reved it a little bit but I'm afraid to run it for more than 20 seconds because I don't have the gauge you put into the pump to do the timing the right way.
There was a post I read a while back describing how to do it by ear, but I can't find it with the search.
This is what I remember,  please tell me if this sounds ok:

Start the car, push the top of the pump towards the motor till it starts to die, scribe a line on the pump, push the top of the pump 1.5 degrees away from the motor and tighten it.
Sound ok?

[zukgod1]

How does it sound?
Is it really rattly?
Smooth?

You can set it through trial and error by ear.
With the bolts slightly loose so you can move the IP by hand but forcefully, while idling push it towards the engine till it stars pinging loudly, back it off a tad and shut it down. tighten the bolts and take for a short run. it should ping a bit under mild accel then smooth out at higher RPM.

If i'm off someone will chime in but I have done it this way a few times.
My current Jetta was timed the proper way then I played with the injectors and ended up retarding it a bit by ear.
I have new injectors on the way again and once they get here I'll re-time it using the gauge but if it doesn't sound/drive like I want I'll use the ear method.

Note; I also have a Boost and EGT gauge to monitor temps and boost levels which help.

[rallydiesel]

You may want to start it out more retarded. If it is too retarded it will smoke and miss a lot. Too advanced and it will be sound like a loud metallic pinging. You may need to move the timing belt back or forward a couple teeth despite having it locked.

[rabbitman]

I do it by retarding it till it misses then advance it a bit.
After doing it by ear a few years ago when I was a beginner I got to use a gauge and I was at .98mm which is right what I wanted. I now do it more retarded and I like it better 'cause it's quieter, easier on the engine and the power is the same. Plus now I get to use the cold start knob and I didn't before.

[flapjack]

I'd guess it sounds rattley, then smooths out when I rev it a bit.
hard to tell, it's inside my garage with just a downpipe and nothing holding the wastegate closed  
I wasn't so nervous about timing it until I recently read about too much advance wrecking pistons. Thanks for the help, I'll try it again in the morning