I think I solved my timing problem. I removed the distributor, glued the connector in place, put it all back together and retimed it. Still made the clacking (sort of like my old diesel) when accelerating. Got really p_____, and decided to try the Italian tuneup method. Really floored it going up a hill at around 70 and put out a nice cloud of black smoke (enough to upset the Suburban that was behind me). Problem fixed. Must have been the thick buildup of carbon that I saw on the top of the pistons when I had the head off.

Thanks for all your advice!!

Now, does anyone have any ideas on how to stop oil from leaking out through the distributor? I bought a set of o rings and gaskets for it and can't figure which are the right ones. I know the really small O-ring fits in the end of the stalk that goes into the head but don't know where the other O-ring and the seal-like part go. I tried putting the larger O-ring around the base of the distributor before reinstalling it, but it did not seem right.