98_k1500
strange noises are normal
The black smoke is from a over fuel issue, My first suggestion would be to put a paperclip in the plug for the coolant temp sensor in the intake. That will make it show the computer that the engine is at operating temperature and will rule it out if it makes no difference. I don't think you have a timing issue, I think its just flooding it to the point it backfires and won't run. I had one doing this so bad it would backfire and the tb would stay on fire until you put it out with something. Coolant temp was bad. They can read all the way down to -40° if they are bad, and make it think it needs WAY more fuel than it actually needs. do that and see what you find out.