Not that it matters, but you didn't say point, or electronic...guessing the later...
Two main issues you look at. The distributor wiring guidelines are just that, simply the 'normal' way things are mounted up on the wiring. In reality, #1 plug wire could go anywhere! Just depends on other things.
First, understand where you want #1 plug wire located...then, keep the firing order correct after that.
Second, depending on the particular distributor you have, and it's advance, the dizzy needs to be mounted so there's no interference with surrounding parts, so the dizzy's housing can be rotated to set timing.
Pull the dizzy. By hand, turn the engine until it's at #1 TDC COMPRESSION stroke. Then, reverse the engine rotation, past the initial timing mark (10 degrees, or whatever), to take timing chain slack out. Then, in rotation, bring the timing mark to initial timing.
Look at the distributor drive gear's slot. Normally, the slot for the 'tang' that goes there, should be in line with the cam. In other words, the slot goes forward/backward. If it isn't, the drive gear needs to be corrected, by simply lifting it, to clear the cam gear, and setting it back down until it does line up. Remember there's a hex end on that drive gear, that fits into the oil pump, that also engages.
Once the drive gear is set correctly...pull the cap off the dizzy, and look at the rotor. On most dizzys, the cap will only go on one way. Turn the dizzy rotor, until the drive tang (at the other end) lines up, noting how the dizzy housing is. Goal is to set the distributor, tang into slot, rotor towards #1 on the cap, and the advance has enough clearance for rotation to set timing. If all is correct, it will fall into place.
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Kinda sounds like your one tooth off, at the drive gear...or drive gear is 180 off.
