on a four cylinder, if you reverse the wires it will probably not pull the car.

it sounds like you may have the timing off and it also sounds as if you have a massive vac leak. I would put a vac guage on it and see what you find.

If you have one in the hole for four and the dist body is twisted far enough as long as the firing order is correct it will run. but the timing may be way off.

you may need to start at square one, by putting the no one cyl at top dead center, and putting the distributor so that the rotor points to the number one hole in it. then follow with the other cylinders in firing order. then you can time it.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.