So you are saying that with the number one piston at top dead center on the compression stroke, and the rotor pointing at the # 1 plug wire post on the distributor, the needle is not on the ball on the flywheel? I don't understand how it can run if that is the case.
Pulling the distributor and dropping it back in 180 degrees will do nothing but cause you to have to move your spark plugs around again to make it run.

1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission