intake installed, now I have detonation???

Well I finished installing my Tmoss ported stock lower intake on saturday and the car feels quite a bit stronger. I put everything back together on sat and drove the car sat night with seemingly no problems. Then yesterday I went to adjust the timing and that's when my problems started. After a few test runs I had to leave the timing at 8* because that is as high as I could set it without detonation at the top of the RPM range. Now I feel as though there may be something wrong with either the distibutor or the harmonic balancer. Because when I put the timing light to the HB with the timing spout still plugged IN the timing jumps all over the place. and everytime the timing suddenly drops the cars idle drops and seems as though it is going to die. Now I run 91 all the time (best i can get in my area) and have not had problems with detonation before. Is it possible I missed something while installing the intake? Vac line or something? Would something that small cause these problems? Also is it possible I put the dist in wrong? If so would the car even run right? The wierdest part is that it ran great sat without setting the timing when I set the dist by only using the reference marks I had made before i removed it. Any ideas are appreciated. Oh and I do have a 190 lph fp to install next wkend incase the prob is not enough fuel.

Thanks in advance and sorry about the long post.

I did the timing with the spout out that is how I set it to 8*. I just wasnt sure if it was supposed to jump like that with the spout in so Im glad that isnt an issue. But it is still pining above 4500 with the timing set at 8* (spout out ). Could my stock Fuel Pump be the problem? With my UD pullies is it possible the FP isnt getting enough power to pump at its full potential? Im at a loss cause it hasnt pinged like this before.

Damn 16* that's crazy with 87 octane. Thanks Hazmat.

Anyone else? What is the usual process when a car is pinging?

Those were two of the things I was considering. I plan on installing the Fp next weekend and gettin an AFPR. Is there anyway to check if the dist is malfunctioning? What's a good brand of dist to replace it with?

Thanks man, appreciate your help. I've heard the 94-95 dist go out sometimes so might as well replace it. Since I already have FR plug wires, MSD cap and Rotor and an MSD blaster coil too.

Mytight95, is this the sensor you are referring to?

http://secure.50resto.com/product1.cfm?SID=1&Product_ID=234&Category_ID=548