Update on starting new engine

First off, thanks to everyone who has responded to my first thread about starting the rebuilt engine.

It is not going well. I have literally quadruple-checked everything; plug gap, points gap, timing mark in conjunction with rotor, spark at the points and plugs, etc. I have retarded the spark and advanced it. I even had a good friend who is a very good mechanic looking over my shoulder and he agreed everything looked right.

The thing we both noticed, aside from the slow cranking, is that it seems to want to flood even though we are applying minimum throttle. The carbs were rebuilt professionally by a local, very reputable carb guy who had all the right tools and gauges for setting up the carbs. This guy does all of the old classic cars in the area. The air fuel mixture screws are backed out 1 and a 1/2 turns. Too much or too little? Also, the throttle plates were fully closed but I have opened them up a tad to let in more air.

In the morning I am returning the battery to be checked out. I noticed it was built in July 2010 and probably never had a trickle charger on it.

Thanks again for all the feedback,
Doug