360 Engine cranks but won't start

Where's your timing at?

OK so this is where Im at. I got a top dead piston setter put that in the #1 plug crancked the engine(manually)until the piston came TDC. Put the distributor back in and tried to start. No luck. I bought an ignition coil cuz the one I had was the older style tried to start it again this time I got serios backfire. Just one though. My exhaust is not hooked up my headers are on though so it was pretty loud. Still won't start. Now once that piston came all the was up was that when I was supposed to put the plug in and hook everything back up? Or was I supposed to do something after that? Im almost sure I was supposed to cranck it back the other way then drop the distributor. Im so confused. But hey I must be getting close I got back fire!!! I have pics but have no idea how to post them.