Not starting and backfiring, possible timing issue

Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? that would be great. You can upload it here with your response.

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

Do you have the original Prestolite ignition system?

Any wild things been done to the Jeep? (fuel or ignition?)

Maybe review this for giggles. (Maybe you missed something-maybe not!)

This time use a ratchet or wrench

Not the starter!

If we got carried away bumping the starter - this way (below) will cut out possible "going too far" with the timing marks.

Let's do it to slow motion!

Hide your keys/chock your wheels/ go to neutral.

Remove #1 spark plug. (Driver's side front on a 304, 360, or a 401)

Stick it back in, loose, maybe by 2 threads (instead of using your thumb in the empty plug hole).

Rotate the engine with a wrench or ratchet (not the starter).

Clockwise as viewed from the grill.

When you hear the "hiss" coming by #1 plug=-=-=stop! ( a friend may be helpful to hear this at #1 (as the other cylinders hiss internally (usually fainter) when you rotate the engine manually.

Now, we are on/ beginning the compression stroke on #1 cylinder (piston is still coming up).

We are not done yet!

Ever so slowly rotate the engine (cw) till your timing mark (line) lines up with zero!

Stop!

I have found that using the starter for the "bum-page" usually results in "overrunning" the marks, compression kicks it back, etc.

Then you mistakenly rotate on around 180 degrees from where you should be (not saying bad things, but if you are new to this, it's an easy mistake!).

Okay, back to our slow-motion-age!

Now look at the rotor button it should be facing the "mark" you put on the distributor or which ever tower you chose to be #1 (textbook or not).

The engine/cam/crank don't care which one it is!

As long as you were at TDC, you placed #1 spark plug wire on "that tower" (the one that rotor is pointing to)

And your 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 firing order starts there- and runs the sequence clockwise (looking down on the 'distributor cap)

Installing it "textbook" cuts down on confusion later on, as you may have forgotten the "deal"- simply hooking it all up like it shows in the book will make it easier in 8 months! (but you gotta install it textbook now!)

These may also help you understand what is going on:

CLASS 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a2X9mSSlQY

CLASS 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=FHX1yXVyIMg&feature=endscreen

Lets hears some good information!

Ask if you need to, that's what we do here!

XTDC

The Medic