Sounds like it is getting too much fuel, or possibly not enough. Try getting a feel for the engine by running it of a prime with the needle closed. It should then fire and rev up before it dies. Then draw fuel to the carb and set the needle around 2 turns, prime as before and see what the engine does. If it just sputters and dies it is too rich, if it revs up before it dies it is too lean. Adjust the needle accordingly and try again etc.

Also, if you are using a handheld glowdriver it has to be absolutely fully charged or the power will be too low for reliable starts.