I THINK IF YOUR VALVE TIMING WAS OUT IT WOULD BACKFIRE THRO THE CARB OR EXHAUST IF ALL THE MARKS LINE UP IT SHOULD BE OK PLUS YOU WOULDNT GET IT TO RUN AT ALL,DO YOU HAVE TO SET THE MAG ON FULL ADVANCE THEN SET THE TIMING? TRY NEW PLUG HAD THE SAME TROUBLE ON A 350 AJS AFTER ENGINE REBUILD WOULD FIRE AND RUN THEN DIE OUT PUT NEW PLUG IN WENT FIRST KICK IS THE PLUG GETTING WET AFTER KICKING THE LIFE OUT OF IT, IS THE BREATHER HOLE IN THE TANK CLEAR? I WOULD TRY A NEW PLUG FIRST THEN SEE WHAT HAPPENS THEN CHECK THE CARB IF IT RUNS THEN DIES IT COULD BE THE FLOAT IGNITION TROUBLE TENDS TO STOP SUDDENLY