Problem with Starting...cant figure it out

[jhuethk20]

I'm having a problem with my 76 K20, its been having a rough time starting more so than not. It will crank over hard but make the noise like the timing is way advanced. I have tried retarding it and it still has the same problem or the timing is too off to run. I had it set at about 18 initial and about 37 total, it is kinda hard to tell since the marks were off and I had to remark the pulley.
 
Battery is new and all wires are new also, and new cap and rotor, but it still had problem before that

Thanks for the help

[ralphhemi]

Sounds like the starter is dragging  one easy way to tell if it too much timing unplug the power to the distributor than try cranking the engine, if it cranks good than it is the timing or cross firing , A quick easy way to check the starter and connections ,if you have a good fully charged battery turn the head lights on high beam , and have someone watch to see if the lights go out or get real dim when you try to crank the engine , if they go out you have a bad connection,and they get real dim you have a bad starter     

[Fairlane514]

18 initial is way too much, back it down to 10-12.

[jhuethk20]

I've tried backing the timing down but it'll run worse when I get it to like 10. The starter sounds right though, it had bad wiring but I fixed it and it was running good for a while. Ill have to check the headlight thing cause the starter looks new so I assumed it's still OK. Could oil leaking onto starter casing cause problems with it? I have to replace the rear main I think, it seems to be leaking and causes the flywheel to spin it onto the starter.