Post what motor you have, carb, and distributor. Once it starts does it stay started?
You can do some quick and dirty tests to check for fuel and spark. First take a tablespoon of gas and pour it down the carb, then try starting. If it fires (for a short period) it is likely a fuel issue. If it doesn't, next pull a spark plug, run a short wire from the threaded (ground) portion of the plug to the engine block. Crank the engine and look for spark. (They make nifty inexpensive spark testers if you go to the local auto parts store. For example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q25UBjOThm0