one inch clockwise from TDC is 15.8 deg which ain't excessive plus you should be able to see that on the tab & should not be causing starter drag. Not a starter issue if it's OK at one setting & not at another tho a high powered mini starter will push thru that if you're pushing the limits with initial/scr but we're missing something. It's possible the dampener has slipped but that is rare & I'd rather k.i.s.s. 5 definitely ain't enough. So it runs better at 1 inch but the starter is cranky, correct so far? EDIT you can wire in an ign cutout & crank teh car with the key then close the switch while it is cranking. We had to do that on the stock car for it's labored cranking when hot. On/off switch in series with the black wire from dist to coil neg pri terminal (points) or blue/yellow wire to ECU (electronic) but it should not be labored at 15.8 initial plus ain't the 71's low compression?