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I'm running 12 volts with a civilian distributor

Was setting the point gap and was rotating the engine with a socket and power bar off the front pulley in the direction the engine runs. I went too far when turning and turned the engine backwards to get it where I wanted only to hear a ratching noise.

After I set it, it starts but runs like crap, checked the timing with a light and its off big time, to the point I can't adjust it to get the markings to line up. What the heck happened?

Did I screw something up? Maybe I should pull the distributor and set it up again?

I'll bet you loosened the crank pulley and now your timing mark is not correct.

if you can move the crank back & forth a few degrees before distributor moves any it may be you have a timing gear worn or a timing chain engine that has worn out chain this would account for ratcheting sound

I don't think theres a chain in these engines?

If the pulley is off, how would one go about putting it back in the right position? Wouldn't it be on a key-way?

It should be, but maybe someone left the key out...