Stupid Distributor Questions

Waggin-
I think you're a genius!
It's too late for me to check that shaft/gear, but I'll definately check it out before Moper drives all the way down here.
If it is off a tooth, would this make the car pop through the carb because the timing is off, even though the timing light is firing at the correct time, creating a false reading...????? Especially if it is off one tooth ADVANCED??
Thank You for your valuable input, sir.

George