Cant get her started

So fresh rebuild. Just ran compression check and have 130 lbs avg across all 8. I have rebuilt the carb and fuel is flowing through it. Distributor is MSD ready to run, I have checked it THREE times now, it is dropped in correctly and base timing checks in about 0tdc for getting her started. I have 12 volts to the coil during start and run (based on key position)
I have spark at the coil wire, and I have done some checks with the #4 plug, it sparks when outside the head.

My timing light does not trigger all the time and I ran resistance checks on the wires.

with the meter on 20K I got these readings

#1 1.490 36 inches
#2 3.980 33 inches
#3 1.310 31 inches
#4 2.980 26 inches
#5 5.090 29 inches
#6 inconsistant 21 inches
#7 3.970 20 inches
#8 inconsistant 18 inches

My wires are MSD Street Fire wires 8mm twisted core and the box says 500 ohms per foot. If I read my meter right I exceed that by alot in some cases, and 6 & 8 just dont seem right
The coil is a new OEM replacement, but its firing something to the cap.

Any suggestions??? Are the wires my silver bullet?

 

Several questions for starters. 1) How do you know fuel is actually getting into the float bowl of the carb? 2) What kind of carb is it? 2) Is the motor sputtering and trying to start or, does it sound totally dead? 3) Which plug are you hooking up your timing light to? and) why are you only setting initial timing to "0" degrees? You should have some initial advance on a nail head motor. Perhaps 5 to 10 deg. advanced.

 

One thing I messed up once was thinking #1 cyl was on driver side... It is on passenger side.
:shock:

 

The accelerator pump in the carb does spray gas, I have tried my timing light on number 1 and 7 (randomly) Both on passenger side. I got it to 0 degrees because thats the best I could get with the light when it worked, but it should still start. Once it starts I can set it better....Im just trying to get it to run at this point.

There are times it sounds like its about to go and there are times it sounds like there is no spark at all. With constant power to the coil, a brand new distributor with electronic ignition and confirmation of solid spark off the coil wire I have to say I believe the wires to be bad. But being brand new wires I am trying to confirm my numbers and my theory

 

I agree with the 10 degree guy. My nailhead won't even run at 0 degrees TDC. If your timing light isn't working, just advance it a little at a time by turning the distributor counter-clockwise. Then, after it starts, play with it until it runs the best.

 

Also, what kind of timing light do you have? Is it compatible with the MSD ignition? The standard dial back lights and such are not always functional with a multispark ignition setup. You need a timing light specifically for a multi spark ignition. Otherwise you will get off and/or intermittent readings with an old standard light on a MSD type ignition.

Like mentioned above. Gotta take a deep breath and step back. Starting checking one thing at a time, even if you have checked it already. Its there somewhere, there is a small detail you are overlooking somewhere and you will eventually find it and have that "DOH" forehead slapping moment.

 

Ive seen fuel fouled plugs cause this.

 

I did have a defective MSD ready to run distributor, they exchanged it and all is good. When installing mine I used this information from Russ's Nailhead site. Good luck.

Another choice is the MSD, good unit, MUST re-curve before installing. Use the black limit bushing and one heavy silver and one weak silver advance springs. Set timing at 10-12 degrees. Most electronic units should NOT use resistors or resistor wire going to coil. We have had some problems in this area.