[Oldsmaniac]

I am not following your timing method.....with a timing light you need to adjust dist. for advance with the engine running not zero. You install dist. at zero TDC compression stroke on #1 cylinder. You will need to advance the timing as much as possible without having the engine ping for better engine output. I dont know cam specs. but if they are what were posted that is a lot of cam for a stock engine...a cam like that needs a lower rear end gear and a higher stall torque converter. The trouble you say when driving about starting out with no power then the engine picking up some is typical performance with a big cam in a stock engine....poor driveabilty.