4.3L Timing problem

In addition to the bracket issues I'm having,(I do have the accessories connected enough to have the belt on and fire the truck) I seem to have a timing problem. I followed the directions on removing the distributor when I did the head gaskets. Now, the truck barely starts and won't stay running. Won't idle at all. The funny thing is, the first time I started it, it did idle fine, but seemed to be down on power and was still burning off coolant that was in the catalytic converter. I got a timing light, figuring I was off a little. Looked in the book and the book says that the distributor on 4.3's cannot be rotated, and if it could, would not effect timing. Well mine does rotate, but it indeed doesn't seem to effect the timing. I cannot figure out why it won't idle or run right. I also cannot figure out where the IST connector is supposed to connect to. According to the book, the truck should run without it connected, but maybe that's part of my problem.

Kory