[swervin ervin]

Mike,

you say you lined the gears at 6 and 12, which is correct way to put on the gears and chain. But, did you rotate the engine one more turn? This is TDC, or 12 and 12. 6 and 12 is TDC on #6 cylinder, not #1.

So to recap and keep the confusion down, put the gears on at 6:00 for the cam gear, and 12:00 for the crank gear. This makes it easier to line everything up. Now, rotate the engine one turn so the gears are at 12:00 for the cam, and 12:00 for the crank. You are now at TDC on the compression stroke on cylinder #1. It's easier to put the timing cover and pointer on first, then rotate. Stop the timing mark at something like 8 or 10 degrees BTDC. Drop in the distributor and point it at #1 tower. This is called static timing. This way your timing is set to the initial amount of 8 or 10 degrees and will be easier to start.

Unless you did this final step, you have just found your problem. I truely hope this is it.