need help asap! initial timing

I cannot get the engine to fire up what I've tried is putting the timing mark on the dampener at 0 TDC with the 10 deg to the right of it. then I drop the distributor (carb w/vacum) and the rotor pointing back at 12 o'clock so that when it seats fully it will point to the #1 cylinder which is about 1 or 2 o'clock. then nothing. I tried going 180 deg. from that as well and still nothing. So I had my neighbor crank it while I had the timing light on it and the marks were showing up a 1/4 of the way clockwise everytime the gun light went off. I need to get the car going for tomorrow. (work) this is a 302 flat hyd tapped engine '82 can someone p.m. me a number I can call them on to speed up the explanation process. all or any help is greatly appreciated!!!

ok. guys and gals she is firing up! what I did was set the #1 piston on it's compression stroke then that put the balancer at TDC so I kept turning it clockwise until approx 12 deg. then I dropped in the distributor and set the rotor to the #1 terminal on the cap. she fired up fine but when I went to connect the vacum hose coming from the vac. secondary carb the timing jumped clockwise about 1/4 turn of the balancer is this normal? the car kind of sounds like a farm truck though nehow thanks everyone for their help and imput I hope I
can help anyone in the future.