Thanks for the replies guys.

Regarding gas - yes, it's fresh gas bought this week - I'm actually running hose from a jerry can as the fuel tank needs work. I confirmed fuel pump working and gas is getting to the carbs and mixture making it through the throttle plate.

Plug wire order - I checked the rotor position when at TDC and ordered wires 1342 from there. I checked this several times, so I'm sure this is ok.

Timing - First, as mentioned in my initial post. I'm a complete novice and this is the first time I'm doing any of this. I followed the instructions at the website posted above. It states the following:

"With ignition OFF and no gear selected. Use a wrench at crankshaft nut holding pulley on front of motor, to turn motor, in normal running direction, to desired timing (16 degrees BTC is a good start), as seen by looking at timing marks on crankpulley and timing cover pointer on front of motor. BOTH valves for NO.1 cylinder should be up and closed (visible by looking into removed oil filler cap hole). If valves are not up and closed, rotate engine one more rotation in normal running direction, to timing marks, when this condition is achieved (reminder, this is a 4 stroke - Otto cycle motor, where TDC of cylinder No. 1 occurs once for every TWO times the timing marks come around on the pulley). Leave engine at this ignition point for rest of this procedure."


I followed these instructions closely, making sure both #1 valves were up when the timing marks on the pulley came around. I set the timing as per the rest of the instructions on that site from there. Was this incorrect? Should both valves be up/closed and just about to start to open?