Cranked timing???

[BP18Protege]

For some reason my car will not run good with out the distributor cranked all the way foward (more timing)
We recently replaced the water pump and reset the timing, I thought the belt was off and just needed to be corrected, Nope belt was reinstalled fine still requires the distributor to be cranked.
It gets fairly bad gas mileage too.

Anyone know what could cause this or know what is wrong when a distributor is bad?

Thanks for help!

[Tweeaks]

Did you make sure it was at BTDC?

[BP18Protege]

Timing was done exactly as it states in the FSM. (This problem existed before installing water pump)

[Tweeaks]

Then I have no clue. Maybe the disty? Hopefully someone else can help better than I could. Some mechanics shops will take a look at your car and tell you whats wrong with it for free. Ask around privatley owned shops, maybe one of them can help you?

[Gen1GT]

Are you sure you have the distributor turned the right way? If it's not advanced enough, it won't run. Or possibly it's too far advanced and you're getting maximum cylinder pressure BEFORE TDC....

[BP18Protege]

I am going to swap distributors when i get a chance. Hope it makes a difference.

[What]

I've seen old distys do weird things like this before in other cars....

[93SuperScort]

^^^^^-Exactly what i think it sounds like!!

[BP18Protege]

I replaced the distributor and it seems to run alot better without having to have the timing cranked. thanks for the help!

[bruce95fmla]

Did you check your timing with a timing gun or similar to make sure it's where it should be.... even with the new disty?

[BP18Protege]

Not till this weekend, But it runs so much better now, I dont have to have the distributor cranked to its fullest extent just to drive it.
Once I have set the timing correctly I think it will run fine. (wont be able to borrow timing light till weekend)