Ignition timing

[moparpat]

I'm having trouble getting my 88 Shelby Z to start.I have good spark at the plugs and fuel from the injectors.The distributer,crank and cam timing are correct.However when I turn over the engine and use my timing light I have to advance the distributer about 75% before I see the flywheel mark.I cannot turn the distributer enough to get the specified 12% advance.What could be retarding the ignition that much?Is it the SMEC or some sensor?The only code I get is 22 from having unplugged the coolant sensor.Thanks,Pat.

[87GLHS232]

Have you had the timing belt off, or the oil pump out recently? Sounds like either the intermediate shaft is off a few teeth, or the oil pump gear meshing is off a few teeth, causing the dist. drive to be in an inaccurate position.

[moparpat]

I had the whole engine apart for a rebuild so everything had to be adjusted.With the flywheel TDC mark on the 0 mark the crankshaft is strait up with the centerline of the engine .Both #1 cylinder valves are closed.With the distributer body centered the rotor points directly at the #1 sparkplug post.I've checked these items multiple times with multiple sources so I know they are correct.At this point I should be able to run and just have to adjust my 12% advance.According to one of my manuals the SMEC advances timing during start,mine seems to be retarded alot instead.I can't see this being a mechanical problem,I suspect either a computer problem or an erroneeous sensor input to the computer.Pat.

[xrattiracer]

having the distributor rotor lined up on center with the cyl 1 post is not where 0 degrees is. if you line it up that way then yeah, you will have to advance it quite a large amount to even get it to run.
just go ahead and turn it to where the light says it should be.