2000 Cadillac Truck Escalade V8-5.7L VIN R timing problem

[godassassin]

I need to know what would retard the crank/cam sync. we put it at top dead center and put the distributer in with the rotor pointed at the v8 mark. start the motor and it runs rough with a cel  code for cam/crank sync. put it on the scanner its -37 degrees off. now on Toyotas if the tps isn't adjusted right it douse the some thing. what malfunctioning component would Couse it on a gm. new distributer with gear in the proper position. engine was rebuilt. when we zero out the sync it runs good but has a random miss ever few seconds at idle. im assuming because the spark has to jump a longer distance.