cannot get this engine to run

Tried to fire this engine up and cant get it to run. It seems like it wants to but just not there. I had everything out as you can tell by the resto thread and I hate this. It is getting fire and it is getting fuel. The timing is right. I checked the schematic and it seems like the wiring is right. I just sent Tyler down to get a ballast resistor and a new ECM. Plugs are new and gapped right. Coil is hooked up right. It starts to run just a little and stops. it is doing some backfiring out the carb. I have moved the dist. all over and still not firing. Engine is grounded and so is the ECM.Anybody have any suggestions. I am tired and apparently missed something here.