I wish I was coming to you all with great news... but I'm not.

I have put everything back together and simply can't get the car to fire. Not one pop or fart. Allow me to recap a few things.
1. I re-timed the cam to the crank at 106. In doing so naturally I was using the TDC that starts the intake stroke (with #1 inlet opening yadda yadda....)
2. Head back on, valve clearances checked and rechecked, carbs reset and back on.
2a. Cold compression check has 1-4; 130, 135, 135, 130 (big improvement from the 99 psi with the cam way off)
3. I moved the engine to TDC on compression (power stroke). I have confirmed that I am on compression on #1, both intake and exhaust closed, #4 just rocking.
4. At this point I have the Dist rotor aiming directly at #1 lead on the cap, and the dist cam lobe (under the magnetic pick up) is pointing at the module. (BTW its a Accuspark 45D4 type). Further, the dist drive gear (after removing the dist to look) is in the correct alignment per the haynes manual and google etc. (vacuum advance removed and capped at the carb).
5. The coil tests well on a multimeter, the various wires and leads are getting 12V where they should with the ignition on... and I am getting sparks at the main HT lead, and each lead for each cylinder. So I can only assume that when the dist is in the right position for each lead it is doing what it should.
This is where it gets odd. I hooked up a strobe light to #1 to see where it is firing as the engine is cranked over and over. I was expecting to see a flash at TDC markings on the pully wheel... but it doesn't seem to me that this is happening. I get spark, but not at the TDC (or slightly before) like the engine is set up??
If the crank, camshaft, and dist are all showing me a correct installation what the hell have I missed? Obviously fuel is the only other part to this equation, but as far as I can tell its getting gas (inside of the carb jet is wet) and I confirmed that the pump works...
Is there a chance that the dist is going full advance on cranking? and so missing all the leads?
Everything that I have read so far (and all your amazing advice) says that this should run first crank.... but alas... I am stumped again, and the weather up here is finally nice.
