ignition timing ?

Just bumping this up to see if anyone had any new thoughts. I disassembled the dist. again and checked everything everything seems good. Hooked it up and the same problem. with timing set at 0 and advanced plugged. when I rev the engine I get 37 degrees of total with only a 13 degree mechanical advance. I even removed the vac. advance completely. Still 37 degrees. Im using a dial back from craftsman could it be off? I tried my friends standard light and they seemed about the same at 0. Im running 10 btdc now and the engine runs good 17.5 inches vacuum at 750 rpm. But it is not real responsive. With the vacuum advance hooked up I get over 65 degrees that is what worry's me. When Im set at 10 deg. btdc initial my total is around 48 deg. with no vac. advance. any thoughts I hope this wasn't to confusing. (I am using HEI). By the way this is a 75 318 stock with oerformer manifold and 4 barrel.