New parts, now won't start

[Mrturner1]

Ok, so I took the valve cover off and started at square one to totally rule out the distributor being a problem. Turned the motor over to #1 TDC, bothe valves closed, and pointed the rotor towards #1. Still nothing

There's a metal flap where the choke it on the carb, is that supposed to open when the throttle is opened?

[Mrturner1]

Ok it fired up and I kept it running, but I had to crank the distributor WAY over counter clockwise. See the picture and then let me know what you think