wrenchbender, i owe you a cold one next time you're in southern california. i think you kept me from blowing up my motor! it was indeed the dist not far enuf down. i did like fatweed said (thanks to you 2) and pushed down while cranking the engine and it slipped down just a notch. now i got oil pressure! i still might need to touch up the timing, but its at 5degrees before dead center like the book says but i forgot to take loose the new vacuum advance i just put on, so it's probably off.
worry about that later; it's 100 degrees.
thanks again to all on this great forum for your help.
tony

Overland Blue, 1953 GMC 1/2T, 100-22, 228/1bbl, 4sp/4.10 6v, shortbed/fender side/5-window.