timing problem, maybe

I recently replaced the heads on a 99 Chevy Tahoe 5.7lt 350. According to the book i bought at a local parts house the #1 piston should be at TDC of the compression stroke and set the distributer in pointing to the #1 firing position. Well, I think ive got that right, but when I start the darn thing it spits and sputters and when I put it in gear the thing dies. A few buddies said that I might have a vaccum leak, but I have replaced all the gaskets and checked all the vaccum hoses. Also, when it did start i heard no valve clatter, so I think Ive got the valves set ok (havent done a compression test yet) Can anyone suggest something else it may be??? thankx!

I recently replaced the heads on a 99 Chevy Tahoe 5.7lt 350. According to the book i bought at a local parts house the #1 piston should be at TDC of the compression stroke and set the distributer in pointing to the #1 firing position. Well, I think ive got that right, but when I start the darn thing it spits and sputters and when I put it in gear the thing dies. A few buddies said that I might have a vaccum leak, but I have replaced all the gaskets and checked all the vaccum hoses. Also, when it did start i heard no valve clatter, so I think Ive got the valves set ok (havent done a compression test yet) Can anyone suggest something else it may be??? thankx!

Nothing like doing it youreself and not having the correct information.
Wonder what else in your book is incorrect (torque specs, procedures) ?

Here is how you install the distibutor on this engine
Bring cylinder number one piston to Top Dead Center (TDC) of compression stroke.
Align the indent hole on the driven gear with the paint mark on the distributor housing.
Ensure that the distributor rotor segment points to the cap hold area.
Align the slotted tang in the oil pump driveshaft with the distributor driveshaft. Rotate the oil pump driveshaft with a screwdriver if necessary.
Align the flat in the distributor housing toward the front of the engine.
Install the distributor and distributor clamp
Once the distributor is fully seated, align the distributor rotor segment with the number 8 pointer that is cast into the distributor base.
If the distributor rotor segment does not come within a few degrees of the number 8 pointer, the gear mesh between the distributor and camshaft may be off a tooth or more. Repeat the procedure in order to achieve proper alignment.

Thanks for the "correct" procedure. The book ive bought couldn't be more vague, especially during a crucial installation.