It sounds like your dist has 37 degrees of mechanical advance built into it, not good. Lets say your car likes the 15 degrees to idle, and runs perfect with 38 degrees total. Your dist should have 23 of mechanical advance. With your current setup at 35 total, your base would be 17 degrees after TDC, no wonder it won't start. Fix your current dist, or buy a new one.
Travis..