Remove one of the temp sensors on the upper radiator hose fitting to help burp coolant.

IIRC the .96 and .97 use the same crank damper part number so that shouldn't be an issue.

Did you move the adjustable TDC indicator during the swap? Which front cover did you use? I don't know the range of adjustment but it might be enough to throw off cam and IP timing.

Are these the cam timing marks you used?



And to be sure, the indicator edge is seen in the lower right corner of this picture. The left edge which goes north-south to the right of the water pump is the reference edge. Ignore the angled right edge -



Sixto
87 300D