Ignition Timing with aftermarket parts

Hi all. I need help setting my timing, I'm going to contact Edelbrock and Mallory to see what they think but I wanted to see what everyone else thinks too. Here's the application:

1969 AMC 390
Edelbrock Torker Intake Manifold
Carter AFB 4bbl
Mallory HEI Distributor

The book says TDC for stock. I'm having trouble dialing in the carb and I think its a timing issue. Please help, thanks.

 

Changing the ignition components won't change your timing, they only make ignition output more powerful and accurate. If you think your timing is still wrong when it's set correctly, look at your harmonic balancer and timing chain to see if you have mechanical problems. Slipped outer rings on old stock balancers is a common problem. A stretched timing chain can throw your timing off a few degrees as well as make it unstable.

 

Will it not start at all, or is it just running crummy? What all has been changed since the last time it was running?

 

Well first I timed it to TDC like the manual says, and I tried dialing in the carb. I have brand new ignition and new vacuum, so shouldn't have any leaks. It ran alright but we had problems starting it w/o ether. Now, with it choked it starts but really low RPM and cuts out.