89 Astro wont start

The head gasket blew so I bought a new one and replaced it. Put everything back together and now she wont start. It does not even sound like she wants to start. Cap, rotor, and plug wires are all less than 1 month old. Coil works - I got zapped checking it.... Fuel is spraying from the TBI's...builds compression as well. All the gaskets I had to remove to get down to the HG were replaced with new Federal Mogul OEM replacment parts. All the wiring is fine - I checked that a dozen times and had other people check it as well. When the engine does anything it backfires out the intake manifold. the timing is not spot on but i put cyl 1 at TDC on the compression stroke and installed the distributor with the rotor pointing to the No. 1 on the cap so I dont think the timing is that far off. I almost ready to junk it but really cant afford to as thats my only means of transportation and buying another car is going to be really hard.

Well i had my heads rebuild about 6 months ago and i never went to such trouble, but if i were you i'll double check on that timing issue, makes sure all the wirings or pluged properly and also all your vaccum lines are also connected properly. Now you mentioned about back firing? trying looking around your EGR vaccum line as mine use to backfire. i know that some people "myslef included" do advance the timing by a few degrees from the distributor, make sure that it is also set up properly. have you replaced your ignition module?

just some food for thoughts, let us know how it goes