All right, I could use some help. I recently swapped in a rebuilt 350 into my 85 T/A, and I can't get the thing to start. It has spark, and it has fuel, but it won't fire up. Starter works fine, so that's not an issue. It started up briefly once, but didn't run because the fuel floats in the carb were set too low, it wasn't getting any fuel (I used starting fluid to get it to fire up). When I removed the sight plug to adjust the carb float, I dropped the plug into the head, so I had to remove it to get it back out. I replaced everything, and now it won't fire up. I can get it to backfire through the carb sometimes, but that's it. I have not set the valve lash properly yet, but they are not too tight for the valves not to function. I am getting what looks like a mist of fuel from the carb as it cranks, don't know what that's about. Plug wires are set up correctly, distributor and carb are non-cc, dizzy is plugged in, choke is connected, all the vacuum ports are either in-use or plugged, etc. I really can't figure it out. Any help, suggestions, etc would be greatly appreciated!

Engine is as follows:

350 block
ported 416 casting 305 heads
holley 750 dp carb
weiand stealth ram intake
non-cc hei distributor
stock wiring and accessories
mild cam
rebuilt 700r4 tranny

 

Sounds like timing isent set right.

 

I would agree, but I can't seem to set it right. I have the cap set at #1 plug when the crank is at TDC on the compression stroke for #1 cylinder, but it still won't go. I tried setting it 180* off just in case I was wrong, but it still didn't work. I can't get it to run enough to set the timing with a timing light, so I'm still confused.