Thats right. I just got everything (almost) back together and am to the point where I can try to start it. Brand new battery and hooked up to charger. Cranks like a mo fo and no start. I took a plug out and had my wife crank it, nice blue spark on the plug when it rests on the frame. yes, I put the groud strap back on the back of the engine.. 
Tell me if I put the distributor in right. I turned the motor over by hand and stuck my thumb over the #1 cylinder. When the piston as coming up, I could feel it pushing air out (versus not pushing air up on the exhuast stroke. Then, I got it to exactly zero degrees on the harmonic balancer. At that point I put the distributor in with the rotor pointing straight back. I then put the cap on and wired that back cylinder to #1 then went through the manual for the H.O. firing order and wired up the rest of the spark plug wires. Is that sounding correct?
The only thing I can think of is that the gas that was in the fuel cell is about 1.5 years old. (ugh, I know) After I ran my electric fuel pump and tested for leaks, I opened the throttle to make sure it squirted. Well, it was light brown gas coming out and smelled like laquer. Should it still run?
I'm guessing my next thing to try is to dump a tiny bit of gas down the carb and try to start it.
Oh, one other thing. I have the choke turned off. (don't ask) Could it be as simple as letting the choke close before I try to start it?
Thanks for any help you can offer! I'll send pics of my new setup when I get it running.
Tell me if I put the distributor in right. I turned the motor over by hand and stuck my thumb over the #1 cylinder. When the piston as coming up, I could feel it pushing air out (versus not pushing air up on the exhuast stroke. Then, I got it to exactly zero degrees on the harmonic balancer. At that point I put the distributor in with the rotor pointing straight back. I then put the cap on and wired that back cylinder to #1 then went through the manual for the H.O. firing order and wired up the rest of the spark plug wires. Is that sounding correct?
The only thing I can think of is that the gas that was in the fuel cell is about 1.5 years old. (ugh, I know) After I ran my electric fuel pump and tested for leaks, I opened the throttle to make sure it squirted. Well, it was light brown gas coming out and smelled like laquer. Should it still run?
I'm guessing my next thing to try is to dump a tiny bit of gas down the carb and try to start it.
Oh, one other thing. I have the choke turned off. (don't ask) Could it be as simple as letting the choke close before I try to start it?
Thanks for any help you can offer! I'll send pics of my new setup when I get it running.
