Won't turnover

[Vinnems]

Hey guys. Trying to start my brand new engine after a full resto. So the tank and lines have been dry. Engine has mechanical fuel pump. I have two gallons of fuel in. Starter goes, but engine won't turn over. I'm pretty sure I have to put fuel in the carbs or a primer of some sort. Help?
EDIT: Also has a vacuum advance on the distributor. And it's a dual Solex setup, if that matters. All hoses are connected properly.

[Cusser]

Good, I was going to suggest cranking it with the coil wire disconnected to build up oil pressure before initial start, but you did that "anyway".

Yes, I'd get some aerosol starting fluid and spray that into both carbs, then push on pedal and try to start (assuming engine spins at normal speed, if not, look at the battery cranking voltage). Do this a few times - since tank was dry, just might need to get gasoline flowing. Fuel pumps are designed to pump liquids, not gases. If it doesn't run at all doing that, then suspect your ignition wires order or ignition timing.

You can hold coil wire (remove from distributor center) and hold 1/8 inch from engine metal as someone tries to start, see if you get sparks there (hold in a rag).

Are you getting 12 volt positive to coil positive terminal (#15) when ignition is switched on? Is only the wire from the distributor on the coil negative side (#1) ?

This will help isolate whether the issue is fuel-related or spark-related, always the place to start.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297