To make things a little less confusing, refer to crankshaft/camshaft timing
as cam timing, and refer to ignition timing that you check with a timing
light as ignition timing.

After you release tension on the idler pulley, you should re-check cam
timing before replacing the timing cover.  At this point, you should
disconnect the negative terminal on the battery and turn the engine over by
hand so that cylinder #1 is at TDC compression and then re-check the timing
marks on the cam pulley to make sure they align.   Check cam timing by
lining up the marks, not by moving them moving them one way or the other on
the notches.  If they are off, you will have to re-adjust.

After you have verified that cam timing is correct, check base (not "basic")
ignition timing.  The emissions sticker under the hood should have the
proper timing specification, i.e., X degrees BTDC at Y RPM.
Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature.
Connect a tachometer to the tachometer test lead on the distributor.
Short terminals TE1 and E1 in the data link connector (DLC) under the hood
next to the brake master cylinder.
Check timing and adjust the distributor as necessary.

Keep in mind that if the engine idle speed is not correct, ignition timing
cannot be checked properly.

This page at Autozone's web site has basic instructions for checking
ignition timing:
http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/13/b8/74/0900823d8013b874/repai
rInfoPages.htm

Good luck!