engine keeps popping

[MySons68C20]

Maybe I missed it but was this engine running okay before the new parts were installed?
If not I would start with a compression test as suggested above and go from there.

[garyd1961]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

That is correct.
The rest of your post is wrong.

Please explain why.

[MySons68C20]

Originally Posted by garyd1961

If you turn the distributor CCW you advance the timing right? You are turning the distributor opposite of the rotation of the rotor button so you would be retarding the distributor cap to advance the timing. If you advance the distributor you would be going in the same direction as the rotor.
The same as if you retard the balancer and set the distributor dead on #1 you would be advancing the timing.

The rotor turns clockwise....to advance the spark events you turn the distributor body CCW to fire the plugs sooner as you stated. Retarding or slowing down the spark events requires turning the distributor body clockwise so the plugs fire later

[garyd1961]

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

The rotor turns clockwise....to advance the spark events you turn the distributor body CCW to fire the plugs sooner as you stated. Retarding or slowing down the spark events requires turning the distributor body clockwise so the plugs fire later

If you advance the spark you turn the cap counterclockwise, in reverse, or retard the cap.