Charge the battery in question and have it load tested. Switch batteries to get it running and timing set.

 

I dont see any battery voltage readings mentioned , so is the battery dead(drained) or does the van not turn over after several cranks ?

Being a 1989 van I am thinking your factory ground is going bad .. No amount of batteries will help when a major connection is weak.

You upgraded batteries and alternator, did you redo all major grounds Battery , engine, frame(body) ?

Good luck

 

All my cables were replaced before the Alternator, the main battery shows 12.8 volts after a full charge. I added extra grounds from the engine to the frame, from the frame to the body etc. When I took and unplugged the fuel injector electrical lines and took the plug wire from the distributor to the coil off and spun it over it spun freely for quite a while. (I did this to get coolant through the engine with the T-stat out)

 

Is your timing too advanced?

 

It was dropped in at top dead center with the timing mark lined up. When I installed the timing set it was lined up dot to dot as factory installed. Cam is stock 96 Caprice police car LT1. (no clue on specs) Engineis a 99 vortec with heads ported and completely rebuilt. .30 over flat top pistons. Compression ratio is 10:to 1. Built for long distance traveling and towing not for racing. I havea friend that is retired Chevrolet parts manager. He looked up the cam at the dealership and it came back as no information available. But that may be because its from a California highway patrol car and the dealership is in Maine according to him.

 

I have two batteries wired according to manufactures specs

The second battery does not get involved at all

Can u attach wiring diagram ?

I attempt to start the engine it spins over starts then dies and then the battery spins it 2 or 3 more times then the battery is dead.

Looks like ur battery or starter motor has some issues

Connect multimeter to battery and look to voltage drop while cranking
It also helpful if u have multimeter with current clamps - u can measure amperage

 

Easy test.
Turn the headlights on and crank the engine over.
If they stay bright while cranking battery is good.
If they look like candles, you probably have a bad battery.
Check all cables and connections first.
Make sure you don't have swollen wire syndrome. (Swelling of battery wires in casing)
Even if timing is way off, it won't kill a good charged battery if a few seconds.
Voltmeter can also help. Check voltage at battery while cranking.
Should not drop below 10v.

 

drawing of dual battery system: