Welcome to GMSB Cody. You won't be short of responses on this forum, and if that becomes the case, it's because you shot yourself in the foot and didn't participate or respond. We can walk you through just about anything you'd need as far as help, but be sure to come back and let us know how it's going and what corrected your problem. Knowing that, helps other members in the future. And don't be one of those guys that just show up when you have a problem, get it fixed then we don't hear from you again until something else breaks. Good group here, but we pay attention to those things and if you end up being one of those, then NO, you're thread might sit unanswered til it fall to the bottom of list and goes down in history unanswered. So, now that you know how we operate....
My first thought was along the lines of chengny. Maybe a slipped timing chain. It could have jumped maybe 1 tooth and a loose chain or 2 teeth. By advancing the timing you compensating igntion timing for valve timing that is off and that will allow it to run, but it'll run bad and be a gutless wonder and kinda give the idea there is a potato in the tailpipe. Keep in mind, we're only making suggestions based on your description and not hearing it outselves.
You mentioned new plug wires. Are you 100% sure you didn't hook one up wrong or get 2 switched and have the firing order wrong? That's worth a check too.
How about the cap and rotor? How old are they? Have you inspected them? I've also seen a rotor cap go bad before where the riveted tab moved throwing the ignition timing off.
Any clue how many miles are on this motor and has it ever had a timing chain replaced?
First I'd check the firing order on the plug wires is correct, then I'd do the Timing Chain test Chegny mentioned. You can also have someone hit the gas pedal a bit and feel the exhaust to make sure it's not clogged as Jim suggested.
