u been cranking it and no start Id think the cylinders loaded up but if you say they are dry, I dont know Id look at all 8 keep em in order. How about timing is the distributor hold down tight? you could try spraying a blast or two of carb cleaner down the carb see if it fires off than youd know you have no fuel...mechanical pumps crap out suddenly...sounds like you have sparkk. Ive always understood 4 things cause an engine not to run, spark, fuel, timing and internal damaged components causing no compression etc. Technically if you check for all 4 of theos ethings you should find the problem sounds like spark good now go after fuel quickest way I test for fuel is to spray carb cleaner down carb see if she fires...but dont flood it just a fey quick burst of carb cleaner. you could be ou tof gas regardless f what the guage says...:)
