The distributor is geared to the camshaft which is geared to the crank. The cams spins 1/2 the speed of the crank (2 to 1). So the distributor will be right every other rotation. This is why you have to be sure you are #1 compression stroke, if you hit the exhaust stroke, #6 is trying to fire.

To double check, get the crank close to the pointer, pull #1 plug and hold your finger over the hole while turning (with a wrench) the engine. If you are on the compression stroke, you will feel the compression, exhaust stroke, you won't feel anything.

Can you confirm the plugs are firing? pull a wire and ground out a extra plug to the block with the wire attached, does it fire?

How about getting fuel into the engine? have you tried a small cap of fuel dumped into the intake, (two or three spoons full)?

With the cap off the distributor, you should feel the mechanical advance moving when twisting the rotor, this is normal.

Not to insult or anything, but are you sure its wire in the correct order and direction? The vacuum advance points in the direction of rotation. Think of the mounting end of the advance unit as the arrow head, and the hose end as the feathers on a arrow. The arrow points the way of rotation!

Joe

1937 Chevrolet Inline-powered Streetrod