No start help 88 mj

Ok I bought this 88 mj cheap from a guy. It was already taken apart when I picked it up. He thaught that it had jumped timing.
2.5l.
The timing cover was off and I verified that the timing gears and chain were installed correctly.
At TDC the rotor points to the #1 Wire
Used a Timing light and #1 was firing on the 0 on the HB
Got spark
got fuel
No run!!
Sometimes it will backfire through the intake?
What am I missing here?

HELP!!

are you verifying TDC on the timing marks on the timing gears or on the HB? If on the timing set, the "V" and the dot on the crank sprocket will NOT line up (like you think they should). When they are lined up, the rotor will be pointing inbetween the #3 and 4 plug towers, closer to #4. Pull the valve cover and verify TDC on #1 by the mark on the HB and valve position. Sounds like you're out of time by 180 degrees.

Jeff

Thanks ill check that out this morning. If I switch the #2 and #3 plug wires it seems to want to run even more than when correctly wired!! What in the world!