I need help please. VW 1800 carb

[KoningMarius]

I have a 2002 VW Caddy bakkie 1800. I fitted a 276 estas billet cam and a vernier pulley. But it runs very bad. I have gone over everything. It either pings and as soon as I adjust the timing it does not have any power. Runs like a 1.3 if not worse. I have adjusted the air screw on the carb and little to now difference. I have checked all the timing marks and also for vacuum leaks. I initially used a electric fuel pump but changed it to the standard pump on the engine. What am I missing

[Jetta2]

Was it running properly before the cam swap?
If yes, then the cam timing or the distributor timing, or both is out.
Pinging is caused by ignition timing being too far advanced.

I have seen vernier pulleys (especially the cheapies), having "timing marks" that cannot be trusted at all. You think the timing mark is on the correct spot, but can sometimes be 45 degrees out.
Also, not all VW 8 valve cams have the woodruff key in the same position on the cam end where the pulley fits on.