Slant 6 Turbo 68Dart Project
[QUOTE
Bill, you wouldn't happen to know which way the dizzy is turned to retard timing? [/QUOTE]
Look at the orientation of the vacuum diaphragm, RE:the direction it pulls when it "sees" vacuum. If it pulls the "breaker plate" in a clockwise direction, the direction of distributor rotation is counter-clockwise. It would advance the timing to pull the breaker plate in the opposite direction from that shaft rotation.
It has been so long since I have played with the timing on mine, frankly, I can't remember; maybe someone else can tell us, but if you look at it in the manner stated above, you'll never have to ask again...
Good luck. The symptoms you described sound JUST like an engine with waaay too much advance to start... The stopping of the crank like it does, is indicative of seriously advanced spark... regardless of mixture problems. Look closely at that, please.