Setting the timing by "ear" is a tried and true method many use. Without going back and reading the entire thread I'll offer this.
With your timing set as it is now, take the truck out and find a hill or incline. In high gear at the speed limit listen carefully as you climb the incline. What your listening for is the valves tapping. If they aren't tapping you need to slightly adjust the dist a little more advanced then try again. You want to adjust the timing to where the valves "barely" tap under the load of climbing the incline.
Once set shut down and try to restart, if it's hard to turn over, i.e. drags etc, you may have it alittle too advanced. It should turn over smoothly.
IF it corrects the problems, take your timing light and see how far advanced it is at idle and record it for future use....
Good luck
Dave
