with more testing i have been doing i found that if i let the car sit for a while with the spark plugs out, then when i put it together and start it, it runs.
when it runs it runs rough during the first 30 seconds of running, and then smoothes out and runs great. if i shut it off and try to restart it, it won't even attempt to fire.

i found out that i think there is oil getting into the combustion chamber and mixing with the gas, therefore not firing. it is a rebuilt motor, but the block was not machined, but should have been.