with CP and RDF start with the basics.
crank the engine till tdc compression #1 cylinder
confirm rotor is all the way on and pointing at #1
make sure the firing order is correct and the wires are arranged on the cap going in counterclockwise rotation for a big block
if you don't have a timing light, you can use a test light on the negative of the ignition coil to set the base timing (ballpark) cranking the engine over - let me know and I can explain this further
make sure there are no vacuum leaks anywhere
does the choke work right
is the gas fresh - newer gas goes stale much faster than the older formulations