you can rent a compression tester from the local parts store

 

Ok...another thing, the mobile mechanic guy almost got it started...then a big puff of white smoke came out of the passenger side header, and the gas came out of the driver side header

 

alright! Good news it started with my carb...like u said, its getting too much fuel cause it died as soon as I hit the gas to keep it running...I looked at my fuel pressure regulator and its wide open so I tightened it down. As far as the carb goes should I turn my air/mixture screws in so that it leans out the fuel a little more? I'm trying to limit all the fuel this thing is getting...

 

the mixture screws only adjust the a/f mixture at idle. if the carb was running fine on the engine before and now its not it points to something happening in the carb. id suggest pulling it off and getting a rebuild kit and going to town.

 

Well I rebuilt it all ready, even dumped it in carb cleaner...so all the passages could cleaned out...I think the carb is pretty much shot now after the carb cleaning, cause the carb pretty much deteriated peices of the actual body and metering valves are chipping off!

 

If you have peices of the carb falling apart its time for a new carb

 

Man...soon as I get to the bottom of this foolishness it rains and rain is falling into my carb as I speak...obviously oil and water won't mix so will this cause starting issues as well UGH!!!

 

Well gentleman, its done...finally got her on the road...it was the timing the whole time!!! Awkward because I did all the basics correctly and nothing happened, I don't know...but I advanced the distributor so far it was way before the number 1 plug...something happened and I have the slightest idea...but it runs like day one now, jus have to do some carb tweeking and we good to go!

 

now that you finally have the timing in the ballpark set it properly with a timing light, or better yet take it to a shop and havem do it, shouldn't take more then 10-15 mins if they arn't busy and shouldn't cost too much at all.. that is if you don't have your own timing light. You should pick one up anyway if you plan on touching the engine ever again tho