Have you now timed the ignition with a timing light?
Getting the distributor rotor pointed to the right terminal on the distributor cap will just get you in the right zip code and may allow the engine to start. You need to time it with a timing light to get it to start and run properly, and you will be amazed by the change in the power level if the engine is down on power and performance due to poor timing.
But first, did you also confirm that you were at TDC of the #1 cyl using one of the methods described? If you have not, you have not eliminated the possibility that the balancer and the timing mark could have slipped. Odds are the distributor is 180 deg out of phase since it coicides with the #6 cyl.
As has been pointed out, the crankshaft balancer mark will line up with the TDC mark on the timing cover twice for every revolution of the distributor. One time, the engine is at TDC of the exhaust stroke. This is when the rotor would be pointing to the #6 distributor terminal. The other time is at the TDC of the compression stroke and the rotor would point to the #1 terminal.
I would confirm that the rotor is pointing to the #1 terminal with the engine at TDC #1 compression stroke, and go ahead and shift the wires in the distributor cap until they were in the proper configuration. That way if you break down on the road some time and you take it to a mechanic, he won't have to spend the extra time (and your money) figuring out that the distributor wires are not in the correct spot.
To time the vehicle:
Loosen the distributor hold down bolt slightly so the distributor can be rotated.
Disconnect the vacuum hose at the distributor and plug it with a golf tee or something similar.
Hook up the timing light and install the clamp around the #1 spark plug wire.
Start the engine.
Point the timing light at the timing scale and you should see the line on the balancer line up somewhere on the scale of the timing cover. Depending on your car you probably will set it in the 6 to 12 deg range BTDC. Many of us use 12 deg on a stock engine with no problems.
If it is not lining up to your desired timing, slowly rotate the distributor until it does line up.
Tighten the hold down nut on the distributor.
And re-verify that the timing is where you desire to set it. Timing will often change as you tighten down the hold down bolt.
Connect the vacuum hose back up and you should be good to go (or at least in better shape than you were when this thread started
)
Let us know if you have any questions.
Doug