Well, it's my turn to ask for suggestions..

good stuff being posted...
-As far as the torque converter, it is the factory one the 318 used, and the 318 would turn the tires.
-As far as the exhaust, would glass packs turned backwards really cause this? I have no tailpipes, it ends in glass packs before the rear end. I installed it as a temporarily thing.
-I just have to take the balancer off and timing cover and I'll check the timing marks.
-I believe the springs are new with the new long block (it has remanufactured heads, i'm sure)
I truly believe, now more than ever, between the chain/cam I have terrible valve timing.