my guess is that you have either a problem with the distributor being set to fire on the wrong stroke of number one cylinder, or you have the timing way off. The fact that it tried to fire once or twice makes me even more convienced that is the problem. I have been there and done that, and it can drive you crazy.
The way I do it is to see if you can see the timing marks when the number one piston is at top center. If you can do that, and the rotor is pointing at the number one plug wire, then you are right. If you have number one at top center and can't see the timing marks, you are trying to fire on the wrong stroke.
Also, be sure you are using the proper timing mark on the flywheel. Most people will tell you that you will have a small steel ball on the fly wheel, and that is what you use. If you have the ball, that will be correct. But I can tell you from experience that if you have a circle, several small straight marks, and a triangle, you will use the triangle. Been there done that. Good luck, Allen
