I put it into gear and it dies.

ok when I get home I am going to start all over again. I will put it at tdc and check the timing mark and I will make doubly sure the distributor is pointing at #1 at tdc. just to get a solid baseline then I will mess with it after that.
To check your timing mark you need to see where your timing mark is with the piston at top dead center. Should be at zero. Probably should use a piston stop but to ball park it look down the sparkplug hole or use a plastic straw off a spray can to feel tdc while a helper turns the motor over by hand. Not with the starter. Be careful, don't drop the straw down in the hole. It will be easier to turn the motor with all the plugs out.