I got a so called good running engine from a friend. I used a comp cam and lifters, schumaker headers, M1 intake, new spring and lifters. The heads were redone by a local shop. I checked the timing over and over again but still as I try to start it it fires some but blows gas back up the carb. It doesnt back fire though (I know this by switching all the plug wires 180 degrees off and it definitly back fires then). I am set to 0 degrees BTDC and even had it set to 10 degrees BTDC. but still nothing. I was afraid I gas washed the cyclinders so I put oild in them and tried it still just fires alittle but not enough to run. If I prime with too much gas it floods and the plugs were wet. so I changed them.  Here is the article I copied http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/techarticles/155_0209_383_engine_restore/index.html



Any help would be great.

Henry  

this my not be your problem but it happened to me when I first tried to fire my big block. I ran my plug wires wrong I was accidently was looking at a small block diagram for the distributer the firing  order is the same but  the router spins the opposite direction hens I started on #1 spark plug but all the rest where wrong I heard one cylinder fire but wouldn’t  start and sometimes backfired. It was jest a brain fart but it was the problem
other than that jest bring #1 cylinder to top dead center and make sure the router in the distributer is pointing at the #1 spark plug. Have a friend turn the distributor wile cranking until it fires is the easiest way I know  

I am using the big block manual and the rotation is counter clockwise. Comp cams asked if I preloaded my lifters but I am running the nonadjustable shaft mounted lifters.