If I'm getting kickback with 8° initial I'm going to doubt that it is really only at 8°. Considering your other problems it sure points to the marks being off. You won't know for sure until you verify TDC with a degree wheel and then slip the balancer back in place and see if it aligns with the timing cover.
A simple test for total timing is to remove both springs from the distributor and fire up the engine and read the results at idle. Lot less stressful than having your head under the hood at high RPM's. Keep in mind that if your marks are off then this result will also be off but at least you have another data point logged and know if the distributor is sneaking in additional timing at high RPM.
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Mick Batson
1967 original owner Tyro Blue/black top 4-speed HO GTO with all the original parts stored safely away -- 1965 2+2 survivor AC auto -- 1965 Catalina Safari Wagon.
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