You said it first started and ran for 3 seconds fine.
That means the wireing and order are ok.
It wouldn't have fired up if it wasn't.
I'd double check the rotor and anything else he did,
something may have come loose.
Maybe the fastening screw on the rotor came loose or off?
Also check all feed wires and connectors to the distributor.
It's probably something simple.
If it's a timing issue, you should get a misfire or backfire trying to start it.
If you get nothing, pull a plug and ground it to the engine while turning
over, verify you get a spark.
