Ailing engine (Updated after teardown)

Coyote Jack said
I don't pull any timing. I have my timing locked at 31 degrees. It seems to work well for this engine. Remember it has been together for 11 years and about 1500 miles per year. And I drive it, not baby it, just ask the wife. lol

Jack

I would suggest a curve of some kind and getting a way to pull some timing with boost.

No head gasket will survive with that much timing at and around peak torque and then not pulling timing under boost makes it all the worse.