RZ16

It finally started, but we could still use some advice! The Brat will turn over, eventually start, but dies after a matter of seconds. It won't just sit and idle, it takes some babying to keep it going. Here's a YouTube video of what it does Any pointers on what might be going on?

Darsdoug, thanks for the input! That was my thought as well. The chances of valves in both cylinders being stuck seems unlikely. I've also watched the video I posted a few more times, and the amount of hissing might point to a gasket issue (or at least I'm hoping that's the problem). This weekend, the valve cover is coming off for sure, and probably the head as well. Whether it's a gasket or valves, the head has to come off, so we'll get to the bottom of it.

Update: A friend suggested that the timing might be off 180°. We went to follow the advice Moosens and Leeroy gave about setting the timing, and ran into an issue. We never felt pressure on the spark plug hole for cylinder #1. So, we got a compression tester. Cylinders 1 and 3 don't get a reading. Cylinders 2 and 4 get about 120psi. So, I was prepared to accept that one cylinder might have a stuck valve. But is there any simple reason that both cylinders 1 and 3 wouldn't be getting any compression? It just seems to coincidental that it's the two cylinders in the same side.

Thank you guys for the advice! We finally got around to really working the timing over, and we're getting close. Firing order and spark has been checked on all cylinders. Timing was reset per the factory service manual and all your advice. The fuel pump is finally delivering fuel to the carb. Since it's a Weber carb, I don't see where there is a float chamber porthole (someone correct me if there is one). At this point we're stumped, and think it may be a carb tuning issue. OP and I are both idiots when it comes to carbs. The carb came with zero instructions, so we found this guide http://www.redlineweber.com/html/Tech/carburetor_set_up_and_lean_best_.htm and assumed the 1 to 1-1/2 turns for the speed screw and 2 turns for the mixture screw mean scree them in all the way and back them out by that much. Right or wrong? Here's a video of what it's currently doing. It seems really close, but just won't quite start. The "puffs" you see out of the far side of the carb are fuel. It seems to be jetting fuel up out of the carb, which doesn't seem right to me. Any advice from here?

I've been helping the OP, so I'll provide some additional info. We tested the alternator (it performs within spec) and installed a new voltage regulator after the original failed some of the resistance tests. Everything on the electrical side seems to check out now. As for the distributor, we're fairly confident the firing order is right. The timing is another issue. We haven't messed with that, so it may need to be reset to the factory specs and tweaked from there. I also wonder if there are vacuum issues. Could that cause the engine to not start? I think the only vacuum line currently connected is the one from the right side of the intake manifold to the brake booster. All the others are disconnected. On the Weber carb, is there supposed to be a vacuum line plugged into the front side of the carb? Also, the valve thing (I'll try to post pictures later) on the side of the distributor that has some vacuum lines going in and out, should that be connected to anything?