ok...first,ground to engine from batt.smaller groung from back of engine to firewall,or body ground,not really need for x-member gnd.
is there key power to resister on firewall? if so,is there power from neg coil,form resistor? resisters go bad.
bring engine up on #1,front cyl,drivers side,and match the plug wire tower on cap to rotor.like above might have to pull dist,and realighn the drive gear/oil pump shaft,to get proper plug wire location. if all is ok?
*got spark? is it electroic,or points?
*a slow starter on a new engine is a pain! if the timing is off,or 180deg out,the engine might turn over hard,or stupid when starting.
let us know how it going,good luck,mike