The dist cap should go on and off without affecting timing...but if you twisted the distributor itself during install that would affect timing.

The only way I know of to check timing is the old-fashioned timing light method. Check a shop manual for the procedure.

Seems worth checking, the "smoke" from the throttle body says to me the timing could be off.

Steve Carlson - 95 Trooper LS expo rig
Serenity now!