Here is the deal, I have a new block 357, with edelbrock RPM heads, exhaust everything. TPI from a 86 Camaro, ECM and harness from Affordable tpi's new. They made the harness MAP not MAF. The engine turns over fine but won't start well. It can't idle. I am going to recheck the timing and TDC again. I am getting spark, fuel, compression. There is lots of voltage going to the motor.
I turn the key. motor really hesitates to start, if I hold the trottle open at 1/3 then is starts and runs really horribly. I don't have the radiator hooked up yet, would that be the problem.
I need some help. Everyone seems to be getting their motors started but me, or at least it feels like this.

Whip out your timing light, disconnect the Electronic Spark Control, and get your distributor timed right.

I have attempted to time it a few times and it seems to run the best when the timing line is 1.5" away from the 0 TDC mark. Don't get me wrong, it still runs like a** when it is there. I will try that again though

Are you sure you don't have the distributor off by one tooth?

Sounds like the timing is out quite a bit. Try again. You may want to also check your tps and iac valve. They may not contribute to the starting problem (although tps would), but they will contribute to it running bad once its started.

How many degrees is 1.5" away from TDC...and in which direction?

I have disconnected the Coolant temp sensor and seem to have gotten better results. Remember I dont have the radiator hooked up yet. Is that something to be concerned with. The 1.5" is before TDC. When I started the motor up I had better results but it still won't idle. I bought a fuel gauge today and am getting 48psi initial, then 45-48 on start up. That seems quite good.

Please help

Um, yeah, the radiator not being connected is something to be concerned with...

(shaking head)

You can't get a SBC distributor "off by one tooth". You can however run out of room to turn the distributor to set the timing.

if your just starting it up and letting it run for a few seconds your not going to hurt anything.anything longer than that you need to hook up you hoses.

what is the year of your car?

The year of the motor is a 86', but it has the Speed density comupter. I thought that the radiator would need to be hooked up to activate some sensor. But I didn't want to hook everything up yet just incase I had to tear it all apart again for some reason.
I figured I could turn the distributor enough to adjust timing. I can almost turn it 90 degree.

I will hook up the radiator tomorrow. Is there anything else that would be causing such huge problems with idle.

The car is my GMC 88' S15.

Why has no one yet asked if there have been any SES light on/codes to be pulled?

Is the map sensor plugged in and hooked up to plenum vacuum correctly? Check all sensors, wiring.

Check your plug wire locations, check them again, then check once more.

Who put the engine together for you? Are you positive the timing chain isn't off one tooth? Details man, details. You gotta check everything cause probably when you find out whats wrong your gonna kick yourself in the butt and say 'duh'.

Well, in that case...shoo...go away...thirdgens only here.