Good advice on the timing light..but.... been there as well, have 2 that are older than dirt, non dial back, and they read correct on the 2 other machines in this garage with msd ignitions.

The sound is terrible due to the exhaust ends at the mufflers right ahead of the axle right now. Its actually an echo from under the car you can hear I think in the unfair to sound video.

I did clay the pistons with no head gasket and didnt even hit the .250 layer I had slabbed on.

Leak down test will be next before I tear the intake off. ..well..after replacing the pick up coil real quick. But the 2nd distributor did the same so I'm not tooooooo hopeful with that path yet...I'm going to try it..as I havent yet..I'm open to whatever that's less than a $300 "maybe" possibility. Until I have to anyway.

Thanks again everyone for the input...I did alot of troubleshooting before I turned here but uts been helpful.