Are you getting a spark from the plug? If not, you need to chase that gremlin.

As for the timing, when you turn the engine over by hand, watch the rocker arms to make sure that cylinder one is on a compression stroke on its way to reaching top dead center (TDC).  Be aware that the flywheel might not be put on with the correct orientation with respect to the crankshaft which would cause the TDC mark on the flywheel (U|C) to be at an incorrect location.

When I was resurrecting my '28 Canopy Express, I found that the previous owner put the flywheel on incorrectly, so the U|C mark did NOT appear in the little window with the pointer (on the flywheel cover) when cylinder number 1 was at TDC at the end of the compression stroke.

I did not want to pull the engine just to unbolt and re-bolt the flywheel on correctly, so I set cylinder number 1 at top dead center (TDC) at the end of the compression stroke (I had the oil pan off so I could see that the crank offset was pointing directly upward and I used a wood dowel through the spark plug hole to 'feel' that the piston reached it's top position) and then I painted a fluorescent pink line on the flywheel that lined up with the pointer in the window.

After that issue was fixed, I did the distributor/points timing.  I found the shop manual's instructions confusing, so this is the way I do it:

1. Set the spark timing lever (on a truck, it is the right lever as you sit in the driver's seat) to the full retarded position (pulled down all the way).

2. Hand crank the engine so that cylinder 1 is on top dead center on the compression stroke. With the oil pan off, you can see when the crankshaft is positioned straight up under cylinder 1. If the flywheel is put on correctly, you should be able to see a pointer that is pointing to the U|C mark on the flywheel. There is a peep hole on the passenger's side of the flywheel housing that can be viewed from the front of the truck by looking down the side of the radiator towards the firewall. The heater hose that goes from the exhaust stove pipe to the carb hides this peep hole. You have to disconnect the heater hose from the stove pipe, shove it aside, and then you can see the peep hole. On my engine, the flywheel was put on incorrectly, so I painted a fluorescent pink line on the flywheel when cylinder one REALLY IS at TDC on the compression stroke.

3. With the spark lever in the retarded position and the engine with cylinder 1 on TDC of the compression stroke, the points should just be starting to open and the rotor should be pointing to the distributor tower that holds the spark plug wire for cylinder one. The firing sequence is 1-2-4-3 with the rotor going clockwise. Loosen the 1/4-20 bolt that holds the distributor in place and turn the distributor until the points are starting to open. Then tighten the holding bolt on the distributor clamp.

Here's the starting sequence I use:

1. Make sure the transmission is in neutral. Do not start the engine with the clutch pushed in. This puts extra pressure on the center main bearing.

2. Turn on the gas to the carb from the vacuum tank.

3. Fully retard the spark lever (meaning the spark will happen at TDC during starting).

4. Pull the throttle lever down a little (maybe about 1/4 or 1/3 open). This is the lever on the left as you sit in the driver's seat.

5. Turn on the ignition.

6. Pull out the choke.

7. Step on the starter switch.

8. When the engine fires, leave the two levers alone for a brief moment, then slowly reduce the engine speed (pushing the throttle lever forward to the idle position) and slowly advance the spark lever (also pushing it up) to the fully advanced position. This will put the distributor at roughly 25 degrees advanced. For general driving, you leave both levers pushed towards the top.

Hope all this helps. Cheers, Dean