Crazy timing, 27 degrees at idle Options

[Gcotton92203]

OK, I'm new to this forum stuff & have absolutely no idea what I'm doing but here goes. Just got a bad running 73 2.0 and found that the only actual problem was burnt and out of adjustment ignition points. I replaced them, dialed in the dwell at 45 and the car ran fine but of course I thought I should recheck the timing. I scratch marked the original position of the distributor before moving it. Vacuum hoses are disconnected and plugged. Can't get the idle below 1100 warm but it idles pretty smoothly so I don't see that as a problem. Here's the kicker. It's showing the timing as already 27 degrees advanced at "IDLE"???? If I set it a 27 degrees at 3500 it is so retarded it just dies at throttle down. So when I have it running & idling good, I have absolutely no idea what the timing and advance really is. The last thing I want to do is damage my engine from improper timing. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[McMark]

Yup, that's a pretty good summary.

[Gcotton92203]

Yup, that's a pretty good summary.

I can see the zero mark in the fan and about 2 inches away is the 27degree mark. I haven't checked to see if I can find the flywheel mark. When I start the car I use a standard timing light, no adjustable advance. At idle with vacuum hoses disconnected & plugged it is already showing 27 degrees advanced. If I rev the engine the mark moves forward substantially and returns with throttle release so it appears the centrifugal advance is working properly. If I run the car in the 27 degrees at idle position it starts harder. idles higher but runs great. If I retard it a bit it starts better, idles better but has a flatter throttle response and not as peppy. My understanding is the zero mark should show at idle and the 27 degree mark at 3500 rpm. It appears as if the fan marks are 27 degrees off but I don't see how that's possible. I also find it hard to believe I'd be running at 54 degrees advance at 3500 rpm.