1969 coupe, rebuild Pontiac 350, new 200r4, mild cam, intake dual exhaust.

I am / was days away from breaking in cam when I think I might have screwed up. Here is what happend, I installed the distributor and tightend it down. I rotated the motor maybe less than 20* and it sounded like some thing was binding. I pulled the distrubuter and rotated the motor again less than 20* and I heard the binding noise and then it stopped suddenly. If I was to guess it sounded like the chain falling into place?

After further investgation I think the new HEI distributor is 1/16 longer than the stock distributor and I didnt have the gasket installed so maybe it was binding and not turning (I'm not sure if the distribtor turned when the crank was turned)

Is it possible for a new change to jump? I had a 4' breaker bar onthe crank when I turned it? Is there a way to verify the timing is still on with out pulling the timing cover off.

All input is welcome

When you installed the distributor, was it aligned with the oil pump? Was the distributor seated all the way down to the block? It may have been the distributor falling into the oil pump notch that you heard. But then it shouldn't have been bound when you pull the dist. I hate to say it, but if it were mine and the cause isn't found, I'd open it up before I damaged something. There's no way the timing slipped unless something broke.

Ok, thought about this a little more. I am sure I put some tension on the chain / gear and bound it up a little but its a brand new gear set and if the chain would have jumped then I would have had a bigger problem like some type of assemply / part problem. I also think I would have heard it.

I'm good, just trying to make sure everything is good for the day I break in the cam.

The distributer was in the oil pump but not full seated, maybe a 1/16 " off the block. I think thats where my problem was, I need to install a couple gaskets so it bottoms out on the block, I put the distributor in again but didn't bolt it down. I turned the crank and the distributor turned fine, no noise.
I think I'm good, obviously wished I wouldnt have bound it up like I did but I dont dont think I broke anything

Did you say u turned it by hand?
Pull the plugs out and turn it, if it turns freely then your OK.

Yes I did turn everything by hand and all is good. Thanks for the input, this stuff will mess with your head.

Yes I agree it will mess with your head, good luck with the break in.