[Rick Parker]

It sounds over simplified but you must determine if it is Fuel or Spark deficient. Start by pulling some plugs After cranking several seconds; are they wet?? If so go that would indicate the injectors are functioning. Next go to the Ignition system; lay a plug with wire attached on a grounded surface such as the manifold, crank the engine and watch the spark plug gap. Is the coil (assumed good??) compatable with the spark box being used (Crane/MSD). The incorrect phasing of the rotor wil NOT prevent it from firing the plugs. It may not start or it may run poorly but it will trigger the spark box as long as it is spinning.
Where are you pulling the switched 12 volts from? This is the source for the small red wire on the MSD box, not to be confused with the heavy Red & Black wires that actually powers the MSD. It has to be HOT with 12 volts while cranking and in the run position. Without that you are dead in the water.