".....was afraid of the timing chain . Well I guess tomorrow I will pull the plugs and confirm number one compression stroke and check the timing mark. Then it will be the chain. I was hoping it would be off a tooth or so......"


Should that not work and you end up pulling the front cover to check the chain, check and see if it has a multiple keyway lower gear. Several cams show some of symptoms you are describing if they are not set up in the "straight up" position.