1980 Chevy Monte Carlo Get engine started

Hi I got a 1980 monte carlo and im trying to get it started, its had a rough life and the ignition is all messed up, its busted out and had some piece in it that lets you turn it off and on with a screwdriver but it wont start, I was told to run a wire from the distributor to the positive terminal on the battery which will bypass the ignition and use a screwdriver to send a current between two bolts on the left side behind/under the engine. When I do this there is a revving sound but not from the engine, and it seems that it doesnt make a difference whether the distributor has power or not. The first time I tried it it sounding like the engine would turn over, but every other time it had the above problem. I would really like to get this car started, as I know that the engine and trans are good. Any help appriciated