First off, I want to say I know there are a million different articles asking this same question. I've read them and still cant figure this out.

So I'll list step by step what I'm doing and if someone could tell me where I'm f-ing up, 1,000 internets will be your reward.

Pull #1 spark plug
Spin engine crank clock wise till I feel air pushing out of plug hole
Line up with 0 TDC
Reinstall spark plug and wire
Drop dizzy in making sure rotor lines up with #1 terminal on cap
Bolt down
Start car
Adjust timing

With all that being done, car still sputters and back fires. I can get the engine to start but it sounds like its chugging. From my understanding the chugging could be because it might be 180 degrees backwards. But how can it be backwards when I feel the air pushing from the socket?

The car WAS running. I'm using the same distributor and all the same parts.
Also, Its an MSD Pro Billit. Theres no #1 terminal imprinted on the cap. That shouldnt really matter as long as the rotor is lined up with #1 terminal at TDC right?

Thanks in advance.

 

check your firing order, I think its 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8, and then with it running try and check the timing and see which way its out, then rotate the distributor the appropriate direction, be careful and do it quickly or the consequences will never be same

 

Da firing order is counterclockwise. You can always just pull valve covere and watch valves to determine #1 on compression stroke.

 

Man Im stupid. I cant believe I overlooked that. I mustve looked at it and and thought something didnt look right a dozen times but couldnt figure it out. I had #7 and #4 plugs backwards. Doh!

Now my problem is the little pin inside the distributor well wont let me set the dizzy flush. No quick fixes for that right? just try to move the pin around till it sits right?

 

You mean the oil pump drive? Bump the engine over and it should drop right in.