[rdorman]

Sounds like the dist is off a tooth to me. Exact same simptom cured many times by getting it right. I use a remote starter to bump the engine until is is coming up on compression (you will feel the difference from the exhaust stroke) and them turn the motor by hand (be sure it you are turning the correct direction) until it at the initial timing. Index the the cap to the dist and then drop it in so the rotor points dead on the terminal, if in doubt, drill a hole in the cap and you can plug it later (often do that but that is another story). Put a volt meter on the the coil, turn ignition on and carefully turn dist until voltage drops. Double check rotor to cap relationship (You can turn it either way to get this to work but what you want to end up with is the best cap to rotor relationship). Start car, recheck timing. Works every time...... unless of course something is broke!