I just put a Mallory HEI in my truck ('69 Chevy C10 w/ 327 SB) to replace the stock Chevy points... Well I can't get it to fire, I did these steps when installing.
Remove old distributor, pull #1 plug out and get to TDC. I pulled the valve cover to make sure I was on the correct stroke, and the valves were closed.

Next I found TDC and pointed my cap and rotor to the #1 plug wire so it was firing correct. I got the plug wires hooked up correct and the power wire..

I checked, Yes I have spark, my power wire is good +12V. Today I got a timing light and let my dad turn it over and my #1 plug is firing correct.... STILL won't start, I got it to fire once that's it.

I have tryed to advance/ retard the timing and it still won't go???

 

Your timing is off (I think). When you sat the distributor in the engine......sometimes it takes part of a revolution for the gears too align and seat.....the distributor drops down maybe a 1/4th inch at this point. You lined the distributor up when it needs too be and when it "dropped in"....you was potentially too late. Check it out (is cranking really fast or slow? I have a top of the line Mallory set-up i my drag / street '71 "Z" car....good stuff and proven.

 

When you took off the valve cover to find TDC did you actually turn the engine and watch the valves move to verify you were on comp. stroke?
Sounds like your 180 out of time.
Make sure you put the wires on in the correct rotation of the distributor.

 

Yes the firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. I know which side is which, when standing in front of the engine the odd cylinder #'s are on the right (1-3-5-7) and the even #'s are on the left (2-4-6-8)

I think I have it 180 off.. I know when installind you have to turn it a litttle more because it will move once it's dropped all the way in because of the spiral gears.
It's cranking pretty normal, but pretty fast because I have it on the charger.

when I found TDC on the #1 plug I watched the timing mark and the valves were CLOSED or the rockers were all the way up, am I completely backwards should the valves be closes or not? I would think.

Oh I don't run an Ignition Box, they guy at the auto parts store said it's fine not to run it but if you want a rev limiter and a hotter spark run it, I will eventually get a MSD Super HEI kit with a Blaster 2 coil.

 

The valves can appear to be on the comp. stroke when it is at the top of the exhaust stoke and the valves are overlapping.
You could either pull the cover back off and turn the engine and watch the intake valve open and close then a half a turn more and your on TDC (make sure your turning in the right direction). Or just put your finger over the plug hole and turn the engine and feel it come up on comp. Or rotate or pull the ditributor and put it back in 180 from were it is now and try it.

 

When I'm looking at the valves while turning over the engine, what should the valves look like??? Now when it's on TDC, both intake/exh valves are closed. Am I on the wrong stroke? or should the valves be closed when it's on TDC??

 

If you have room too, put a ratchet on it and turn it by hand if not have someone bump the starter and watch for the intake valve to open on number 1 cyl. After it closes you will start on the comp. stroke, half a turn and you sould see the timing marks line up.

 

I just did everything... STILL NOTHING. I even had one of my dads buddys who builds motors at a local auto shop look at it. He said that I had everything correct and it should fire but it won't. My next thing will be a new set of plugs and some 93 octane. I'm running some old gas now but it should run off of that just not very good. I'll drain it and switch to good gas, that might help?? Thanks

 

Sounds like weak spark. 93 will just be harder to iginte becasue it is not as volital. I might suggest replacing the coil, and the new point could have drawn more power out of the coil causing it to foul up. Also make sure your did not mess with the carb settings or such when you did this upgrade. Typicaly something else got screwed up. Can you smell gas and does the engine ever even TRY to fire?

 

The valves will be both closed when at TDC. I've never used a Mallory before but as far as the wiring goes all you have is a power wire to the b+ terminal of the dist. I have seen people painting the dist. hold down and it not getting a good ground because of the paint. other than that it sould be a direct drop-in. Check your plugs and see if they are fouled, and replace them if needed. Make sure you have good connections, not just using a test light put a good load on the wiring by hooking up a head light to your power wire and dist ground. It only takes a little current for the test light to work but it takes alot more for the head light to come on. You'll also know if your ground is good that way. If all of the above is correct then I would remove #1 plug and make sure that your on the compression stroke and recheck your rotor position. I also want to say that some of the older chevy's turned counter clockwise, while others turned clockwise. So while you may be on TDC and the rotor is pointed to #1 the rotor my be turning the wrong way. But I'm not sure on this.