The rubber may be fine, but it might be the wrong year balancer. If I remenber correctly there are 3 different timing cover marks, depending on the year. The timing mark location on the balancer change to correspond to the cover. Best bet, is to get the timing tab, then check TDC, with a positive stop. and if the balancer is off, remark it.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Went to the junkyard and no timing tab, went to the parts store and no piston stop. So I improvised both and remarked the balancer. I timed the engine to about 5 degrees before TDC; the engine would die at anything after TDC and ping at anything more than about 7 degrees before TDC. Still have the same problems. I double checked the 3 and 4 plug wires and they were okay unless I have them all backward. The 1 plug is at the front of the engine behind the alternator, yes? Whats the next thing I should be looking at?

this should be an easey fix( timing or fuel) but after all you have tried this seems a deeper problem, if this is a new engine and this problem has been there from the start you must check cam timing/ valve timing, compression or leak down test ,if the engine will not run with the small changes in timing you are talking about cam timing or compression is way out of wack.

Can changing the crankshaft throw off the cam timing?

Yes... you had to remove and re-install the timing gears and chain.
DD