first issue is cold starting. it took me almost 2 hours to get my car started in low 20's temps. i finally got it going after leaving my back up car running with the jumper cables on it, and an engine block heater on the intake. i got it to start using a very small amount of throttle and keeping it there and cranking it for about 15 seconds, stopping for about 10, and then it fires right up. possible bad cold start valve?

i also noticed there was a slight miss after i reconnected the battery this afternoon. it was only once every 4 seconds or so, and stopped after the car idled for a bit.

i have also noticed a noise at more than 3/4 throttle above 2200 rpm. sounds kinda like when my water pump had gone bad. it had been making a noise before and i found out my steering pump belt was loose, but it has come back. my brother said it was ping, but it sound like its comming from the front left of the engine. could it be from the rotating assembly (i cant hear it when i rev the engine when stopped)?

im getting a battery and i will probably get a new cap and rotor. what should i set my timing to?