350 wont start!

I need some advise! I have an 85 olds cutlass with a 350 in it. Last saturday I drove the car and it ran fine. Tuesday I went out to start it and after cranking it a few times, it backfired out the exhaust real loud! Now it wont start at all, it acts like it is going to, but it doesnt.

It is getting spark and plenty of gas. I put a new distributor cap and rotor on it, also had to set it to TDC on the distributor as it was off.

Does nybody have any idea what it might be or what I need to try next. I dont consider myself a mechanic. If I cant get it right soon, I will take it somewhere.

Thanks,
John

Forgot to mention, it is also backfiring out of the carburator a little when I carank it.

there's a good chance it' the timing chain....ted

From what you have described I'd say that it's jumped time. That requires a new timing set.

As I said I am not a mechanic, I am just learning. Can you tell me how this would happen, running fine one day and then this just two days later?

The cam gear probably has plastic teeth and one or more just wore out.

Before you tear it down check the timing again. Set TDC and make sure the rotor button is on cyl.#1. Also make sure the plug wires are in correct firing order. Good luck...