What did I do wrong?
 

I put a set of intake gaskets on my '94 350 mag/alpha today and now its running like crap. Runs rough and doesn't sound right. As far as I can tell, everything is hooked back up as it should be. Timing is set at 8 deg BTDC using a light, and I'm holding 18 inches of vaccum at idle. Help me out here guys.

This is what it sounded like before with it idled up a touch:


http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_a345ac95.jpg

This is what it sounds like now:

http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_965b7ddf.jpg

Also, my starboard exhaust riser gasket was leaking, so I ordered a new one from sierra.
This is the one that it had on it:
http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/b239d326.jpg

This is the one I put on it:
http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/148d5119.jpg

What is the purpose of the restricted gasket? As of this second it has the 2 different gaskets on it, but I wanted to find out what the purpose of each one was. I can tell ya the exhaust riser is ice cold now, even with it running. lol

Plugs wires correct?

Yeah, I never removed any wires. Took the cap off with the wires still connected and layed it to the side

could the cap have gotten wet? might take it off and spray the inside down with WD40. seems like ignition as the other post alluded to.

Not likely, the cap was only off for around 2 hours and it was laying away from the block. It looked dry when I put it back on.

Well...the only thing that you changed was the intake manifold gaskets. I vote for vacuum leak. While it's running try spraying WD40 along every gasket...if the engine sound changes there's your leak.

Using correct timing mark?

It holds steady at 18 inches of vacuum at idle. Is that not sufficient?

motor sounds real lazy to me . i would have to say the timing is way off .turn the dist ccw while its running and see if it wakes up

Yeah, 4 marks to the left of 0 on the timing tab.

Quick question, do these have a timing advance that needs to be unplugged while checking the timing like an automotive engine?