I tested each sparkplug using a nail and cranking the engine. All plugs sparked, the last shock gave me a jolt.

There is fuel in the lines, actually one of them needs tightening, leaking a little.

I am puzzled as to why it will not start unless those pesky vacuum lines are not connected properly.

???????

Calling all experts

Sometimes in the past after Ive had alot of stuff taken apart around the airbox area and had the fuel lines off, Ive had to hold the airplate up while trying to start the car for the first time. You could try that and see what happens. If it begins to wanna start, sinch the airboot back down and make sure there are no leaks or anything, then try again.

Since you have spark, thats good! Just check and make sure all vac lines are accounted for, they are silly little buggers.

Would cutting out a larger opening in the bottom of the air box effect anything?

I had my timing off by almost 180 deg and it still held an idle, a poor one, but it still fired up.

Have you tried jumping the fuel pump relay and manually lifting the air plate. This will let you know if fuel is even getting to the injectors. They'll make a "singing" sound when you lift the plate.

First things first.
What led up to the no start situation?
Also, if the spark plugs are black and wet, they will never work properly. I worked at an Audi dealership for many years and the ONLY cure for a brand new Audi that wouldn't start in order to drive it off the delivery truck was to clamber up there and replace the soaked plugs. Audi warranty even paid for the 'fix'If this doesn't help, I'll need more details about what happened at the beginning of the problem.

Shouldnt stop it from starting. Def. sounds vacuumish.

You mean if spark plugs get fuel on them, they will not work????

If they are soaked with fuel, they will not. Remember, an engine runs on a vapor of fuel.

Also, you never said if the #1 spark plug wire on the distributor was lined up with the notch when the engine is on TDC.

Tony Hoffman

I think I might know what happened. When I first put everything together the spark plugs were not tightened properly (%$#@%$#@).

As I kept cranking the engine I am sure the plugs became saturated with fuel, then once I tightened the plugs, it was too late.

if so, have someone twist the distributor as you're cranking to see if the 'ol girl fires up.

That's the issue I had with my 4000 when I first tried to fire up the turbo motor. Turned out the distributor wasn't at the right spot.

see if that contoured vac hose is fully connected. there's two big ends and "y" area that allows another fitting to connect into it.

I had a similar problem when doing the head job on my '86, and realized that that "y" hose was not fully connected into that hose. The car would not start at all with that big a vacumn leak.

This is hard to see in the dark, best to check it in the daylight.

lil bit of a pyro is he?