Motor dies after startup.

Check the compression. It loses power under load? Timing chain perhaps? Bad distributor? These Are things to check. I would suspect the last major thing you changed. Just because it's new doesn't mean it can't break! Smelling oil...blow by perhaps? This would suggest a timing problem.

you know what, i have been smelling oil. and the car was shuddering really bad on the way home today — no doubt i bent more rods. last night after i made my adjustments the valves were working nice and smooth, idle was good, power was really good.