Re: Timing mk 1.2 8v. GOT PICTURES!!!!
First pic shows the cam in the right place, so that's ok. With the flywheel notch lined-up with the large pointer and the bottom (alternator) pulley fitted correctly it should run fine. If the bottom pulley is wrong, the timing and injection will be 120 deg out (back-firing through the inlet is a sure sign it's on wrong).
Failing that, ensure the HT leads are on the correct plugs and coils.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that you'd had the crank pulley off (that drives the cambelt)? Often the keyway will shear off when undoing or if over-tightened, leading to it not locating on the end of the crank correctly which would affect both valve and ignition/injection timing.