distributor cap + wires

If it's spitting gas out of the carb, or backfiring when you try to start it, chances are you have the distributor installed 180* out.
Did you bring the # 1 piston up to top dead center on compression stroke before installing the distributor? If not, remove the spark plug on cylinder # 1, and use either a remote starter or a helper to BUMP the engine over, while holding your finger over the spark plug hole. As soon as you feel compression pushing on your finger, crank the engine over with a socket on the harmonic balancer retaining bolt until your timing mark on the balancer lines up on the "0" mark on your tab. THEN, remove the distributor cap and ensure that the tip of the rotor is pointing at the #1 wire of the cap. If it isn't, re-position the distributor if it's out 180*, or, re-arrange your wires starting with #1 in the correct location in line with the rotor, and follow the firing order given above to install the remainder of the wires.
If everything checks out correctly the way you have it now, then you may need to advance or retard the distributor in order to get the engine to fire.
If that doesn't work, then you may have a carburetor flooding problem.
Also, make sute you have spark at the plugs while you have the # 1 plug out to do your TDC check.
Good luck.