Pinto ignition timing help

[spliceMk1]

Hi all. Hoping for some help as I am completely lost in my backyard mechanics project.

I've recently put a fresh 2 litre in my Escort. Turns over freely by hand, all marks are lined up nicely and I'm getting good spark. But when I turn the key i cant get her to fire up. The telling factor is that the vacuum hose from carb to dizzy blows off when trying to turn over, and I seem to be getting some fuel blowing back out of the carb throats. So I am thinking that I have it too far retarded. Or am I just retarded and have something completely wrong? Have I maybe got it timed in at the exhaust part of the cycle?

Not sure if this is useful info, but i've also gone for a road/race cam with more lift, duration and dual valve springs.

I'm gonna try some dizzy to-ing and fro-ing, but am hoping someone may have a ray of light to help me on my beginners travels.

Cheers.