How are you setting the static timing? With a point-type distributor, I turn the distributor housing clockwise until the points are closed (after getting the #1 cylinder to TDC) then turning it CCW until they just open. You can do it precisely with a 12 volt ice pick type test light by connecting the wire clip to a good ground and touching the (-) terminal of the coil with the ignition switch in the "run" poisition. With the points closed, the light will not burn. As soon as you turn the distributor housing CCW far enough to open the points, the light will come on.
If you've got a GM HEI ignition system, to do a static timing setting just turn the distributor housing to align the triangular projections on the reluctor and the ones on the pickup coil with each other with the timing marks aligned at the crankshaft. Good luck!
Jerry
