Ok, lemmie see if I can help you out. "Dot to dot" is the manufacturer's way of assembly. Technically, yes, when it is assembled "dot to dot" it is "supposed" to be correct. Sometimes.......and very, very seldom they come out like that.
The reason it is "RARE" it's in the correct place just stabbed dot to dot is because of machining tolerances between parts. When you are speaking in DEGREES, it's very easy to see where a simple machining tolerance can throw off camshaft timing. Was the camshaft keyway machined EXACTLY? Was the camshaft gear keyway machined EXACTLY? Was the crank keyway and crank gear keyway machined EXACTLY? The chances of "ALL THAT" being DEAD ON 100% are VERY slim. This is why it is IMPERATIVE to use a degree wheel to get the camshaft timing right where it needs to be. ...and yes, from the desctiption of the way your engine runs and the low cylinder pressure, I suspect the camshaft timing is retarded. How much? Who knows? I've seen "dot to dot" installs retarded 10 degrees. The point is, without a degree wheel, you do not KNOW. That's why it's so important to good engine performance.
