Can't start my 408!

I did pull the valve cover to check the dist timing, it is in correctly.

Idling smoothly is debatable - it was idling, and when I started adjusting the idle screws, I managed to kill it, and since the battery was low, it would not restart. 3 recharge cycles and 2 days later, I still can't get it started. I even changed to the almost new Edly 1406 - 600cfm carb, and still only kicks like it will almost! start. Grrrrrrr...