Ae92 Gts Timing Issue

['88ROLLAGTS]

I need help to figure out a strange Timing issue that has come up while putting my gts back together. i never took the timing belt off. The cam marks and crank marks all align where the manual shows. the trouble i have been having is that i must either advance or retard the timing all the way to get the car to run. it runs but bogs under increased throttle. i was told that it is just a tooth off in either direction. i took this advice and while trying to adjust it i removed the distributor cap to help ensure that i didn't go over an extra tooth. i can only place the gear in two places that as far as i can tell is not correct. i can see where the rotor makes contact while the cap is off, but cannot get it to the correct position. I have never run into this problem before and it is very frustrating because this is the last thing needed to make the car drive for the first time in almost a year and a half! Any ideas would be appreciated thanks

['88ROLLAGTS]

wow my text is alot smaller than it looked!!

[tashirosgt]

If you didn't take the timing belt off, were there any parts of the engine that you removed and replaced?
It is possible on the '90 4AFE to put the distributor shaft in "reversed" so it is 180 deg wrong. I don't know if this applies on the '88 (with 4AF ?).

['88ROLLAGTS]

I only replaced the oil pan gasket. its a 4age by the way. i just asked a buddy that i work with and he said the same thing about it being 180 deg. out. this seems strange since the shaft has marks to align when the motor is at TDC. I'll give it a try though. i hope it works!!! i have been itching to drive it. my other car is a 90 4dr no dx with a serious tranny(auto) leak and bad shocks(kinda like driving bowl of jello!).