Merlin wrote:
I did wonder what you were meaning since the position of the vales does not indicate TDC.

yes, that's why I said to use a (not screwdriver) to check position of the piston.
I said you need to look at the valves to determine if you're on the right stroke for (ignition) TDC.

I think I give up!
Anyway, I think we're agreed...
Check all the cams/crank are correctly aligned.
Check the knock sensor and associated gubbins are all ok.
Check ignition suppression gear is all in place and good.
Check all the ht leads are on correctly and ok.
Then if you can't get timing correct at idle (using the right procedure) try changing the distributor (or bits inside it).
Might be worth slinging the old distributor cap on as well. I have had friends that have fitted new caps only to find they breakdown/conduct at ht voltage (they checked them with a megger). Swapped back to the old worn ones and all ok again...