Richard gave you some more good advice about location of No. 1 spark plug wire.
More basics.
The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. The rotor turns clockwise (I think). Don't worry about the flywheel. It can go on only one way. Use the ball for timing. Run a wire from the terminal on the outside of the distributor to the block or ground, just in case it needs grounding (a whole nother story).
I don't think you're getting fire to the plugs. Ask a good friend or your missus to hold onto the No. 1 plug wire at the plug end as you crank the engine over with ignition switch on. You'll soon know if you're getting juice or not. For best results, have your friend or missus remove his shoes first. (A friend is someone who will be there when you need help, a good friend will help you hide the body.) So if you've got juice and the good friend jumps and lights up, buy him a beer or two afterwards. After all, good friends are hard to find. If you used the missus for the experiment then give her your credit card and tell her to go shopping or tell her that you'll go with her to the very next wedding reception. (Credit card is better) Both are equally desirable to them.
Charlie
