Couple of Maz B2200?'s

first of all, im trying to get my 87 running. the truck will crank like it wants to start but its a little sluggish and groans i guess you can say. i bought it from a junk yard with a clear title and they told me they couldnt figure out what was wrong with it but they said the previous owner had gotten water in the engine some how which i never figured out.there isnt a gas tank in it right now so i am just pouring a little gas down the carb and when i crank it over, the gas is spitting out everywhere. what do i gotta do in order to remedy this?a guy helping me out said maybe the exhaust could be plugged so i seperated it a little bit and still nothing.he also mentioned the timing could be off, the timing belt cover was off when i bought it. how do i line it up? it has markings on the timing chain pully and the 0 is at the top top.all of the spark plugs are getting spark and there is power to the coil.so first off im looking for answers as what to line the timing chain up at, and why the gas is spitting out of the carb. any and all ideas as to why it isnt starting would be great.