I have a 355ci with 465hp and I am finding it hard to time it also it acts as if it is loading up. I can get it to crank and run but putting a timing light on it, shows the engine is timed at 25-30 degrees BTDC and when I hook up the vaccum advance it shows 35 degrees BTDC. I am using a dampner that is 6 1/4 diameter instead of a 7 inch diameter does this hurt? I am Using a pete jackson gear set instead of a timing chain and it was aligned before install for TDC :hail: thanks Guys

 

The first step would be to verify the position of the timing marks.