318 wont start and backfires out the carb?

Your cap all the way on? It can be cocked and still almost run. Backfire is easy, its fire in an open intake valved chamber. Remember the rotation is CW 18436572 driver side from front 1357, pass 2468. Rotor should point toward front driver side intake bolt at #1 TDC and
Ike wire so as to let the vacuum pot point to pass side but that's not critical.