[KyFarm]

thanks guys, its looking like pulling the distributor is gonna have to be the deal, I'll probably need some help getting it back timed TDC on #1 but I'll work that out as it comes,

I'm gonna have to rent the oil priming tool, but every parts store seems to have one.

the motor is a chevy crate motor, HT383 (Part Number: 19355720) - L31 block bored and stroked to 383CI with vortec heads.

Hydraulic roller cam, (P/N 14097395):

Thanks for the good advice!