If the dist. drive gear is installed backwards the dist. is out 180 degrees. Try putting the wires in the exact opposite order of where they are now. Keep in mind the notch on the edge of the dist. is supposed to be #1 cyl.
Also if you have removed the dist. you timing is now out. Turn the crank by hand until #1 cyl is at TDC, with the key on you can use a test light on the neg. side of the coil, tighten the clamp just when the light goes on and off. That will get it to fire and then have it set by somebody with a gun. hope that helps,
Matt