Unusual if the cam is right. With the timing tool the cam marks should have not been too far apart. Whatever the 15 atdc degrees at the harmonic balancer allows would be it. This is about 7 1/2 degrees at the cam marks.

Very hard starting,lots of smoke and no power are typical of the 180 degree timing error at the cam. Maybe another member can think of something else that could cause this much grief. No chance a rag was left behind?