What did I do wrong? (distributor re-installation Q)

Ive got the new motor all bolted up in my 89 RS, and tonight I dropped in the distributor.

I brought #1 up to TDC and aligned the #1 post on the distributor cap with the rotor, but when I crank the motor, all it does it pop and sputter out the throttle body. Im thinking the distributor is 180* out.

Is the intake valve on cylinder #1 supposed to be open or closed when its at TDC for the car to start? From my description, does it sound like I did something else wrong?

Thanks in advance for any help on the stupidest newb question ever.:)

The valves should both be closed......#1 should be on the compression stroke. Steven

yes, the valves should both be closed while at tdc #1. take off the valve cover to watch the valves while rotating the eng. around. as your turning, the exh. valve will be closing as you are coming up on the TDC line. once there, reinstall the dist. same as before. is this a TPI eng. or tbi? or carburated? if TPI, I think you have to unplug a conn. near the dist. to put the computer at base timing while you set the act. timing (after the car is running)
chris