You have to degree the motor, with a degreeing wheel, which requires a major teardown, unless it is on the stand.
A long block comes with everything but the intake, Sometimes they will leave the sheet medal off, Oil pan,valve covers, Timing cover. A short block will be just the block,crank,rods and pistons and cam shaft, Timing gears No heads or sheet medal.
water pump, intake, timing cover and valve cover if you tear them up taking them off
Passenger side valve cover
No.
stock timing on a 400 small block Chevy 2/4 bbl engine is 4 degrees btdc. depending on how the engine is built however, i.e. rebuilt to stock or built for performance, the timing may be up to 8 degrees plus or minus tdc or more depending on valve timing and cam timing.
Under the valve cover where the valve springs are.
No, VVT is to be introduced on the 5.3 in 2010
Check the valve timing and the ignition timing. If both are good then check the compression in all the cylinders.
Easiest way is to pull the valve cover and turn the motor over by bolt on crankshaft and check to see if the valves are moving
for all out horsepower the splayed valve Chevy head, or the sb2 or 18 degree after that
check your PCV Valve
very probable valve lifter is loose if its hydralic take valve cover off and check for loose or broken valve keeper etc high miles engine just getting tired