doesn't matter where zero is---it only matters where the other 359 are-------------


But having said that---you do need a reference mark if you are diagnosing things---if this was a normal start up of a street rebuild, i'm sure most of us (well----a few anyway) could put this thing together and light it off and set carb and timing by ear/sound, seat of pants, does it kick the starter, run on after shutdown---------


However----you have a vehicle swap, a different timing cover, who knows what for carb to manifold fit, shorty open headers, quite possibly a sticking advance mecha nism--------------and maybe a faulty lock up converter??????????