Mine is almost impossible to get at with a dial indicator, so I carefully set it before installing the engine, and mine was way too retarded as well. I had mine set at 1.05mm. I had 220 bar injectors, which will retard the timing more than 180 bar ones, and had one of Prothe's cam plates if that makes any difference. I finally had to just set it by ear as I had no clue where it should be.