My B16 only runs when the timing belt is installed at 16 degrees BTDC. But when I set it to TDC it will barely run.
Your post is sort of confusing because I can’t tell when you are talking about ignition timing or mechanical (valve timing). It sounds like you just installed a timing belt? The cam gears and crank must be aligned according to the timing marks. Do not misalign the pulleys from the marks. When you say you are setting the crank do you mean with the timing belt or are you referring to the ignition timing? From reading your post is sounds like you can’t get the ignition timing to be in spec with the timing belt properly lined up? Sorry you’ll have to better describe what is happening.
Yeah belt timing won’t run right when the car is tdc both crank and cam
but when I put it out of time with the crank at ignition marks and cams at tdc runs good
maybe this will help. this is how my car sits when its off and the cams are at tdc it will only run with it like this 
From what I understand you are going by the marks on the crank pulley? This is incorrect, those marks are for setting ignition timing, not for the timing belt. Take the crank pulley off and the lower timing cover off. There is a mark on one of the teeth of the crank gear that must be lined up with a mark on the block. With the crank set, the cam gears should have the arrows about level with the head and the dots on the gears should line up with each other. Also make sure the distributor rotor is at #1 cylinder. Be sure to set the belt tension in this position then rotate the engine over a few times and recheck. Then when you get it all back together, short the service connector and set the ignition timing by moving the distributor. Hope that helps. If you can post a picture of where the timing marks are lined up.
Why would i need to take the crank pulley off? Isn’t the white mark tdc? Thats the impression i was under. When i set the belt to the white mark, It runs like ass. i might have to make a video to show what i am talking about its hard to explain
Because when you do the timming belt you dont go by the crank pulley you go by the cams an the bottom plastic with the mark on it just like the person wrote above me reread his post
when you look at my car right now with the car off you see this when the cam arrows up
but when i switch it to look this it runs really bad
