[oldstimer]

Dan is right about the order of the wires, but you'll have to make sure you can rotate the distributor so that the number 1 wire aligns with the rotor when cylinder 1 is at top dead center (TDC) on compression stroke.

Unless your rotor is visibly damaged, it is not likely to be the problem. If you have spark from the coil, and your rotor and cap are not visibly damaged, it is probably a timing issue.

Try moving the crankshaft to align the timing marks. This will put cylinder 1 at TDC. The rotor should be pointing at the #1 wire if compression stroke or 180 degrees away from the #1 wire if exhaust stroke. This should give you an idea where the #1 wire goes on the cap.

On some GM distributors, it is possible to mount the rotor backwards and that will rotate everything 180 degrees.