Is the cam timing the problem, or something else?

I have tried adjusting the initial advance as far as 22*, there is no detonation that I can hear, and the MSD distributor is one that came with the car, so I have no idea what may have been done to it by the po. The oe distributor came with the engine and I have run it as high as 22* initial advance as well. The only thing noticeable at that point is the starter drag.
It is not going to detonate with that low of cylinder pressure.
Adjusting the ignition timing is not going to cure the issue