Ok experts, heres one for ya. I cant get my timing dialed in on my car for the life of me, and it just feels like it's not running to it's full potential. The balancer is correct and it lines up right with the 0 degree mark on the tab at top dead center. The problem is, the car will not run unless it is at around 45-55 degrees advance with the tan wire disconnected. Now when I reconnect it, the timing retards to 35 degrees!!! It's suposed to advance, not retard from where you set it! I have done it a few times. With it connected, it idles at 45 degrees, but when disconnected, drops to 35 degrees. Anyone have a starting point as to where I should start? Harness is not original, it's out of an 88 year car.

 

Start at the top again, just to make sure.

Recheck plug wires vs. firing order.
Rotate engine to TDC on #1 cylinder.
Make sure at TDC that rotor points to #1 plug wire.

 

I have checked all three of those many times. I know everything is correct, but have no idea why it would advance instead of retard. PROM maybe? Or wiring problem? Anyone ever heard of this before?