I recently had my 1984 22r completely gone through. when re-assembling it, I followed all recommendations regarding the reinstallation of the distributor(place rotor at 12:OO etc.)
Now I can't rotate the distributor far enough to acheive TDC. The best I can do is about 7-8 degrees advanced. Today I pulled the distributor and tried to move the rotor one gear tooth Clockwise. Now the best I can do is is 7-8 degrees retarded. Can't get to O degrees TDc to save my life....any advice? By the way I am almost positive that the timing chain and gears were installed correctly.

Are you sure the engine was at TDC when you pulled everything apart? Common mistake; you might be 180 out.

Yeah I think everything was ok. I placed the motor at TDC and then verified that the correct valves were loose. If I was 180 degrees out the engine would run like crap...correct? It actually runs pretty good now just can't get it timed. I only need to move the distributor a little more to get to TDC. Have even considered filing the area that hits the mounting bolt, but I don't think this should be necessary.

Only other thing I can think of to rule out is the pickup coil and the vacuum advance.

Did you plug the hoses for the vacuum advance to check the timing? Should be zero with them plugged, then come up to around 5-8 dg when you put them back on the distributor.

You said it. Engine at TDC, then, plug in distributor for the rotor to point to the #1 post on the cap.
Simply pull it dist., turn it to the right 1 notch, time it again.

>>>*Go back and double check the timing chain. This is exactly what happens when the top gear is off one link.

When correct, the bottom timing mark will point straight down. The cam gear alignment dowel will point straight up. The actual top timing mark will be slightly left as you face it, at about 11:30 position.

The engine will run there, but poorly, and the distributor will be off enough it cannot be swung into proper time....*EB

That is how my chain looked when I re-assembled it. Timing marks on the cam gear were just a little to the left. I am trying to attatch a photo so all can see but not quite sure how to do it. Any suggestions.

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Update....I was able to verify that the timing is set at about 4-5 degress advanced with the vacuum hoses plugged. It raises to about 6-8 when I plug the hoses back in. The 4-5 degress advanced is as low as I can get it as the distributor wont swing any further....just as engnbldr suggested. I drove the vehicle for quite while yesterday and while it seems to run ok at lower speeds when revving the motor up it seems to be held back. feels like I am pulling a big load while progressing through the gears. Guess I will have to recheck the timing chain.