I do not know what type of engine. But, If the timing mark is "dead on" it seems unlikly. What type of problem are you having? The distributor seems to be the usual problem. It would be easy to be one tooth off or even 180 out. Usually (on a V8) the dot on the cam gear and the dot on the crank gear point directly at each other for TDC (top dead center). At this point you can put in the distributor and see that the rotor button points at the #1 plug wire on the distributor cap. That is usually close enough to start the engine. smile


There is no mechanical problem so difficult that it can not be overcome by brute force and ignorance.