1997 Honda Civic my engine acts weird

First of all, I know my distributor is at the location where it should be but, when I put the timing light to check it shows way retarded. I advanced my distributor but it still wouldn't reach the timing line and I started to have a overheating problem. Oh and also a week ago I had a o2 sensor light come on so I disconnected it to see if that was the problem and it was definately not the problem. I have problems turning it on sometimes and when it does turn on it starts horribly till I drive away withit. What could it be please help