Advice Needed - Can't Start Rebuilt 273

What are the chances that the fuel is poor? Been sitting? Tried any fresh, down the throat, or starting fluid?

HERE's a story. In the 70's a then friend was trying to start a brand new 396, 57 Chev. I KNEW it would run--I helped install the cam and set the prelim valve lash.

He screwed around most of a Sat morn, and finally came and got me. Says "we're priming it with that Pepsi can full of gas"

I sniffed it to make SURE I wasn't gonna pour Pepsi down the carb, and said "go get some gas."

IT WAS JP-5!!!!! (Kerosene to you civilians, LOL)