[dscott]

When I put an engine on the dyno and it doesn't start within 3 or 4 revolutions there is something wrong. It is critical that you find the problem if this is a new engine or you may wind up with a flat cam. I wouldn't keep trying to start it until you check everything. This is how we start a new engine. Find TDC, you can do this by sticking your finger in the spark plug hole and turning the engine until your finger starts to blow out. You then know you are on the compression stroke. Look in the hole and run the crank back and forth until you are sure the piston is at TDC. Then remove the dist cap and make sure you are pointing at #1 on the cap. You also want to make sure the firing order is correct, there are 3 different firing orders for the 302. You need to check your cam card to be sure. If you have the piston at TDC then make sure you are getting proper fuel, have the float set as was described to you. Make sure you don't have any open vacumn. The engine should start almost immediatly. If it doesn't you could have the cam installed wrong. The ignition timing may be ok but if the cam timing is off it will start but it will flood easy and be very lazy. It may pop back as you say also. The cam breakin is very important. Once the engine starts you want to bring the rpm up to 2000 and then after a few minutes run it from 1800 to 2200 for a total of about 20 minutes. This allows the lifters to spin in the bore and breakin properly. If they don't spin the cam will go flat from the lifter sitting in one spot. I hope something here helps you. Good luck!
Don