This evening I tried to start my rebuilt 400 for the 1st time - didn't want to fire. Seemed to light off a couple of times, but would never catch. I have the initial timing set at 12 degrees BTDC & verified I'm getting a spark. I cranked the engine with the throttle wide open & nothing; pulled a spark plug & it's dry, so I'm thinking it's a fuel issue, right? Fuel level in the primary bowl is just above the top of the sight glass, idle mixture screws are 1.5 turns out, fuel pressure is running 3-4 psi while cranking. I've got a melling cam .486INT/.512EXH, set straight up, TMeyer pistons, and Holley 670 street avenger. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

To ensure it isn't a fuel issue you could see if the accelerator pump squirts gas into the carb when you hit the throttle. If so, then try to start it with the choke on and throttle closed since a dry plug suggests it isn't flooded.

If that doesn't work, check the plug wiring. Perhaps the rotor isn't pointing at #1 when it hits TDC.

 

Good advice...the accelerator pump will be your first clue if fuel is actually getting where it needs to be.

Second on the plug wires. In fact I've seen an instance where a cap was wired clockwise instead of counter-clockwise from #1. Another common problem is stabbing the distributor 180 degrees off - TDC on the exhaust stroke instead of compression.

 

I'm pretty sure I'm finding TDC correctly - hold finger over #1 spark plug hole, turn engine & stop when all the air is pushed out.. I did get it to fire, but it ran kind of rough & I had to feather the throttle to keep it going.