No start, everything seems fine

that does sound like a timing problem...hmmm... are you sure you installed the cam on #1 top dead center on the compression stroke? On the cam sproket did you retard the cam timing by changing the sproket position on the cam? are the timing marks otherwise lined up? Just a few ideas. That popping from the intake isn't necessarily fuel/air igniting and going into the intake, there's enough pressure from cranking to make that sound. Just to make sure the ignition system also works one of you could try cranking the car and the other have a plug wire seperated from the plug, but close enough to where it'll ark over to the plug if the ignition is working, a good idea if you try that is to use insulated pliers or something to hold the plug wire, so you don't become the ground.... that sucks, good luck, i know how much timing issues suck (been there, done that).