69 340 problems

Well, I replaced the fuel pump with a Carter model, and there is no change; engine does the same thing. I removed the inline fuel filter and replaced it with a rubber hose. No change. I set the balancer to #1 TDC, then checked the rotor tip to be at #1 on the cap. It was.
I tried to start the car, and it "runs" like the timing is WAY retarded. It barely stumbles to life, then simply shuts down.
There is still BARELY any fuel coming out of the squirters, even after the short run time so I suspect carb needle/seat problems. I poured some fuel into the carb, and although it ran, it still sounds like the timing is very retarded.
I will use Grump's method to check the timing chain, and report back. Maybe the chain is now off a tooth, and there are also carb problems? It just seems strange that it happened "all of a sudden".
I am starting to dislike this car. :D

THANK YOU all for the help.

P.S. If it was a stock Chevy with 90,000 miles on it, I would say it needs a timing chain after listening to it "run", but because it has a double row roller, I was ruling it out. Like I said, I saw and felt the play in the chain when I had the timing cover off this spring, and it didn't seem that bad.......to this Mopar newbie.
I'll report back when I know more.

George