[Wwes]

One good test is to disconnect the timing bypass wire (tan connector right under the brake vacuum booster). Set the crank timing mark to 0, stab the distributor to TDC (generally that's the rotor pointing to 5 PM on a clock, towards cylinder #1). It should run OK, and then set timing with a timing light.

IF This doesn't work, then check the timing marks, harmonic balacer and sheer pin.

THEN try again.

IF That doesn't work, then focus on the next round of testing.

I had a problem with my setup where both the Harmonic balancer had shifted AND the computer timing tables were corrupted. Doing what I said above would have saved a lot of time.