Is the cam timing the problem, or something else?

missing linc said
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.
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Ok, cool, then you've tried elevated timing. Did it help at all? If it helped AT ALL, even the smallest amount, then changing the camshaft timing might help even more.