Engine wont start all the sudden

[jjuriga]

I just got done doing up a new dashboard and this morning put it all back together... then went to start it up. Now it will not start, last time it was fired up was about a week ago. That being said, the dashboard got an overhaul, not the side panel with the ignition, so that was never touched. I have an I/O Merc, or a Chevy 305, depending how you look at it.

I checked and there is half a tank of gas in it - also tried spraying starter fluid in the carb (not too much, I've done it before). Nothing. At first, I thought I may have flooded it because I always have to pump the gas to much to start it... so I waited a half hour and came back to the same thing. It turns over just fine, but never catches.

So, that being said... anyone have an obvious thing that a newbie like me is missing or doesn't know, before really getting into this? Is there something I could have messed up when up in the dash (I wouldn't think so)?

Thanks in advance!