So very stuck...

The cam is a comp cam xe256H ,the timing gear had 3 key holes but only 1 that would fit the cam. I cant imagine that the motor is turning backwards and still running, so I'm confused as to why the distributor would be going the wrong way. The manual for the distributor says the #1 wire should be pointing at the #1 piston but in that position is where I'm getting detonation. I'm lost now, I fear I may have to pull the timing cover now. If i remember correctly the balancer only had 1 keyway to insert into, but again it's been a few years and remembering how the balancer sat is lost on me. This truck has been almost a ten year project so it sat for a couple of years at a time.