Ok, assuming you didn't pull the distributor out of the engine, just took off all the wires, this should be easy.
You didn't mention if it had point type distributor or HEI/ electronic type distributor.if yours has points, just leaving the ignition key "on" or in the "run" position will burn the points up giving you starting issues.
Electronic ignition isn't so fussy. But first, we need to make sure your wires are on, in the correct direction. As you look at your distributor,
Look at the vacuum advance diaphragm, the rotor turns away from the diaphragm.the rotor should turn clockwise, the small block Chevy's firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.
So, if you take out the number one spark plug, and turn over the engine until it's at no.1 on compression (you should hear air escaping from the spark plug hole) make sure the rotor is pointing at the no.1 plug terminal on the distributor cap, then start putting the wires on, going clockwise, starting with 1,then 8,4,3,6,5,7,2..... once all the wires are on, make sure your distributor cap is seated (there's a notch on the bottom of the cap that fits in the top of the distributor) put the no.1 spark plug back in,then try to fire it up.
if you didn't pull the distributor out of the engine,
it should run.if not, you'll have to do a little more work.
now, if your truck has point type distributor, you might need to replace them, but that's another situation.let us know if this works first, then we can proceed.
Ben
