Just replaced the head gaskets and timing chain on my 91 firebird with the 3.1 v6. ive rest the timing to 0' tdc. the distributor is new and just about everything else as ive been trying to resto

lifting the distributor up that far will have put the ignition timing out as it has come out of mesh
the procedure is to put the no1 piston on TDC compression and then set the rotor button directly in line with the mark on the distributor body for no 1 piston
Having done that and after starting the engine , using a timing light to twist the distributor body in the clamp until you get 10 Degrees btdc

the book shows chev 4.3 L is a v6 chain driven and the valve timing is correct when the two dots line up with each other
if it is the ignition timing that you are talking about you are probably 180 degrees out in the distributor setting
no 1 piston firing lines the rotor button up at no one HT lead and not no 6
all engines regardless are timed of no piston tdc and chev engines are around the 12 degrees btdc for operation

Best practice is to remove #1 spark plug, roll engine over by hand until #1 piston at top dead center on compression stroke. Remove dist cap , find a surface outside of dist to mark direction rotor is pointing then mark dist body position. Remove dist ,you will notice as you lift dist, rotor will spin backward keep an eye on it, when the rotor stops spinning as you lift, that will be your dropin position for new distributor. That will get you close,enough to start car but you will need a timing light to set exact timing

Check your owner's manual for the recommended mileage for replacing your timing chain. Replacement for a Nissan Maxima is 60,000 miles.2 Locate the timing chain. Replace it if the automatic chain adjuster (also known as the tensioner) is damaged or worn.3 Release the pressure in the fuel system, drain the cooling system and disengage the negative battery cable. 4 Undo the upper radiator hose, engine drive belts, power steering pulley and pump with bracket, air duct, passenger front wheel and engine side and undercovers, front exhaust pipe, cylinder head front mounting bracket and head cover, rocker cover, distributor and distributor cap and spark plugs.5 Take off the intake manifold support and move the No. 1 piston at "Top Dead Center" (TDC) of the compression stroke.6 Disconnect the cylinder head front cover, water pump pulley, thermostat housing, upper and lower tensioner and slack side timing chain guide, idler sprocket bolt, camshaft sprocket bolts, sprockets, mounting caps and camshafts. 7 Disengage the cylinder head with the manifolds, idler sprocket shaft, upper timing chain, center crossmember, oil pan and strainer assembly, crankshaft pulley, engine front mount and bracket and the front timing cover. Remove the oil seal and unfasten the timing chain cover, idler and crankshaft sprockets and the oil pump drive spacer. 8 Unfasten the timing chain guide. install Your Timing Chain 1 Grease the oil seal lip with engine oil and place it in the front cover. Verify that the No. 1 piston is at "Top Dead Center" (TDC) of the compression stroke. 2 Reconnect the crankshaft sprocket (marks should point toward the engine's front), oil pump drive spacer and timing chain guide and the lower timing chain. Line up all mating marks.3 Hook up the crankshaft sprocket and pulley, lower timing chain, front cover assembly, engine mount and front mounting bracket, oil strainer and pan assembly and center crossmember.4 Reattach the upper timing chain, idler sprocket (to the back side), cylinder head assembly, idler sprocket bolt and exhaust and intake camshafts. Place the intake camshaft knock pin at 9 o'clock and the exhaust pin at noon. Connect the camshaft bearing caps and distributor brackets and secure all mounting bolts.5 Eliminate any old material from the pan and cylinder block mounting surfaces. Rub on a 3.5 to 4.5mm bead of liquid gasket over the oil pan and cylinder block.6 Attach the upper timing chain to the idler sprockets and secure the cylinder head bolts.7 Refill the cooling system. Hook up the negative battery cable and any other disconnected items. Start the engine and look for leaks.

84 firebird 2.8L

The wires being pulled out had NOTHING to do with your issue son! As you know it was the washer on the distributor the whole time!

Turn your motor by hand to bring up TDC #1 fire. Set your distributor in place. Remember it will turn with the direction of the cam gear approx 1/2 post when it seats so you need to compensate for this. Set your cap on and follow down #1 post and mark your housing. Remove cap and turn dist until rotor centers on mark. Start and time (remember to remove timing plug) with timing light. Did you remember to use new head bolts?

buy a new chain to make things easier

your valves are probably sticking many firebirds have had problems with the heads on the vehicles.. example my 91 firebird burned oil for over a year and a half before a head gasket blew out and consequently cracked one of the heads.. but now im jus down to getting past old vats security systems.. the heads on the vehicle are expensive, so take care of them, replacing the valves may be kinda expensive but is cheaper than hole heads.. also check for any gasket leaks or oil near the valve covers, could be a head gasket.. head, valve cover gasket, valve cover, oil rings a generalized area of where the oil is coming from would be helpful

I'll assume you are going to replace the entire set (sprockets, guides, etc.) which I got from O'Reilly for $79.

First, set engine to #1 TDC.
Remove valve cover, fan shroud, fan, drive belt, water pump, 4 10mm bolts from bottom front of head, and 3 10mm bolts from front of oil pan. Remove lower front shield to remove oil pump. remove oil pump/distributor drive shaft, noting the orientation of the drive shaft.
Remove harmonic balance using correct puller (can be rented from local auto parts store). Remove P/S pump and A/C compressor if necessary. Remove timing cover.

IMPORTANT: Before removing oil thrower and distributor drive gear, note direction of oil thrower.
Remove oil thrower and distributor drive gear.
Remove chain guides, tensioner, chain, and finally both sprockets.
The new crank sprocket can only be installed one way, by aligning groove with keyway. The new cam sprocket will have 3 guide holes on the mounting flange, and you will need to align the knock pin with hole #2. Both sprockets should have a small dot (timing mark) on the right side of the sprocket when viewed from the front.
To install new chain, inspect chain to find the two brightly colored gold links. These two links must align with the timing marks on the sprockets. Assemble and install chain tensioner.

!!! IMPORTANT: Be sure to use new gasket when installing tensioner. Tensioner is oil pressure fed and a leaking gasket could allow chain slack, leading to premature wear or break.
Install chain guides, being sure not to let tensioner pop out.

!!! IMPORTANT: The tensioner must be fully compressed. To accomplish this, loosen the 8mm bolts in the passenger side guide (the shorter one). Compress the tensioner, adjust guide to remove slack, and tighten the two 8mm bolts.
Double check that everything is still lined up properly, and make corrections as necessary.
Install distributor drive gear and oil thrower.

!!! IMPORTANT: Ensure oil thrower is installed facing away from the distributor gear. If not, it could get caught in the distributor gear and destroy the two gears or cause engine lockup.

Before installing timing cover, inspect coolant and oil passages. If there is excessive buildup, a good system cleaner is recommended. Replace timing cover gaskets to prevent oil leakage. The best way to reinstall the timing cover is to remove the oil pan, install the timing cover, and reinstall the oil pan (replacing the pan gasket). If you don't want to do that, simply grease the top and bottom of the timing cover and lightly tap it into place with a rubber mallet. This is to prevent damage to the oil pan and head gaskets.
To install the distributor drive shaft, dab some grease on the top side of the gear to hold it in place, and line it up with the distributor. If you are having trouble lining up the shaft, pull it out and look at it from the top, and you will see that the flange is offset. At #1 TDC, the offset will be towards the front.
Install oil pump, being sure to use new gasket.

!!! IMPORTANT: Failure to replace oil pump gasket could lead to inadequate oil pressure, which will cause severe engine damage.

The remainder of the installation is a reverse of removal, using new gaskets where necessary. Before installing your valve cover is a good time to check your rocker arm clearances. This is also a good time to replace your drivebelt, and any other maintenance items as necessary.