AMC 360 help

Hey guys, know this isn't a Mopar topic but hoping to get some help.

Been working on getting my new to me 1980 Cherokee running, I replaced the carburetor yesterday as the Holley that was on it had been sitting since 1991, thought it easier to just replace. Put on an edelbrock 4105.

Same thing is happening as with the Holley, it's not starting but popping from the carb. I actually tracked down the owner that parked it back in 91, he said it drove fine then starting popping from the carburetor and wouldn't start. He had about 30 vehicles he was collecting and just parked it in a garage where it sat, sold it to the guy I got it from last year and he hadn't done anything with it either.

It's got clean fresh gas, new carburetor, I have triple checked the plug wires and am starting to think timing. When I put gas in the carb it will fire for a second then pops and won't fire again till the motor turns over a few more times, then same thing again.

What's the best procedure to check timing on a motor that won't run? Pull #1 plug, put finger over hole and turn over by hand until I feel the pressure building under my finger, insert a wood dowel into the hole and turn till it's at the highest point? That would be the top of the compression stroke, rotor should be pointed at #1 plug on cap and harmonic balancer should read 0 correct?

Or if anyone has any different ideas as to what it could be I am all ears.

Thanks for any help, I posted this same question on a fsj forum but figured I know some intelligent guys that know way more then I hang out here so figured why not..