new engine wont fire, please help

[cmpcpro]

the motor sat for about a year, its a high performace 302 long block. after everything was put on, and it was dropped in the car we tried to start it, but it wouldn't fire. everything down to the bolts under the hood is brand new. when we looked at everything more closely, we realized the marks on the balancer are totally off, so we put the motor to TDC manually. i took the valve cover off on the passenger side, and turned the motor by hand until both valves on cylinder 1 were closed, and the intake was right about to come up. then we put the rotor to number 1 and tried to fire it. fire is what we got, but out of the wrong end of the motor. exactly 180deg around it fires alot better, but sounds funny when it does start to run, and dies right after, with the occasional fire ball here and there. we have fuel, spark, and tried both ford firing orders. the rocker studs are the kind that you just tighten down all the way, but when both valves on 1 were closed and even, there is still play in the pushrods, i dont know if thats ok or not. can you help me start this heap?

thanks!!