Originally Posted by Goach2
Carl - 5-10 retarded according to the 216 flywheel, but piston is at the top.
I would be surprised, no shocked, if the markings for TDC or 5 degrees before TDC would be located in different places on a 216 flywheel compared to that of your engine. The marks may differ in appearance, but not their location on the flywheels.
Your timing gears may not be lined up correctly, or the cam gear is damaged and jumped time.
You need to remove the valve cover and verify that neither of these has taken place.
At precisely TDC on the compression stroke for the #1 cylinder, the #6 valves (intake and exhaust) should be rocking. That means that one valve is opening while the other one is closing. If this is not occurring as the #1 piston is rolling through TDC, your timing gears are in need of inspection.

1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission