Darin meant to divide that into two causes.

If no compression, cam is outta time with crank.

If distrib is 180 out, you would still have great compression, but no spark at correct instant.

And to make matters more confusing, it's possible to have both the cam and distrib out of time..... then, you would have no compression and also no spark at correct instant.

Set crank pulley notch at 0 (TDC) and see if the front cylinder valves are shut and the rocker arms loose enuff to rattle when you wiggle then up n down....if not, then turn crank one full revolution till pulley notch is once again at 0 (TDC), then wiggle the rocker arms for the front cylinder again.

If they are now loose, then pull the distributor cap and see if rotor is pointing at Number One on the cap.

If rotor is not pointing at #1, pull distrib and reinstall so that it is, then fire it up once you reinstall the valve cover.

If you can't rattle the front cylinder valve rockers no matter how many times you go around to 0 (TDC), then your cam and chain are not installed properly....and if that's the case you may have bent some valves attempting to start it.....If valves are bent, you won't get compression even if the cam timing is later corrected.

Hang in there....leave claw marks before you give up.