Hi Mark,
1st thing I'd do is try to set the timing. It sounds like you're going to need a timing light & set it per the instructions that came with the unit.
Hopefully you can put in a new set of plugs & get it to run long enough to use the timing light. Make sure you check it twice. Once with the light connected to either the #1 or #4 plug wire & again with it connected to the #2 or #3 wire. Also double (triple?) check that the spark plug wires for #1 & #4 cylinders are going to the same coil. (They're very hard to start on 2 cylinders -trust me
)
If you get it started but can't keep it running then carefully (don't burn yourself) check the exhaust pipes to see if all 4 are hot. If not then let us know which cylinders are cold.
Mike