'73 318 timing issue maybe? Really need help

When I tried to start it again it was still backfiring. So something is definantly wrong. I took the number one spark plug and turned the motor over till top dead center on the firing stroke, then I took the cap off the dist expecting to see the timimg way off and it was not. It was close to number 1, but a little advanced. I moved it back to almost no advance rececked all the wires were on and it started. Thats great and all but I really didnt do much. So im wondering what happened?? The wire to the coil was a little loose maybe but it doesnt make sence it would be backfiring with a loose coil connection does it?