Sounds like the vacuum advance is bad. Hook up your timing light again check were the it's timed. Pull the vacuum advance hose off and check the timing again it should of moved by 18-24 degrees. If it hasn't moved you need a vacuum advance diaphragm for your distributor number. Should be 24 degrees for the automatic unless GM changed the vac adv from 76 to 78.
btw You did disconnect the vac hose to the distributor to set the timing and the vac hose does have a vacuum on it?
Larry


I don't own a vehicle that isn't old enough to drink.