Distributor problems

[dan42]

Well, I goofed up somehow. I was replacing my HEI with a new HEI from Jegs, and I couldn't get it to seat even after I bumped the motor a couple of times. I looked at the bottom of the distributors, and noticed the new one had a wider tab on the bottom where it fits over the oil pump. I ground it down a little and now it seats fine, but I must have bumped the motor over too far, because it won't start and is backfiring through the carb. I tried to get tdc on #1 (or close to it) and static time it - i.e, re-install the distributor with the rotor in the direction of #1 wire. Still backfiring, won't start. I have never done this before, so did I screw something up? It got dark before I could do anything else. Fortunately it's not my dd. Any ideas? One other thing - when I ground the tab down, I had to take out the sheer pin to pull off the sleeve so I could grind it, but I thought I got it back on in the correct position. ANy help or ideaas would be greatly appreciated.