I have the timing set just shy of 5 with the vacuum lines plugged
that is the procedure for a fuel injected 22RE NOT your 22R.
first we must make sure the cam timing is set right.
if when you get the timing mark on the crank pulley to 0* and you see the cam gear timing mark is either straight up 12 o-clock or if its a couple teeth to the passenger side then your a tooth off.
if you have a old clock with a minute hand and hour hand you want the dimple on the cam gear to be about 11:57 or have the minute hand around 57 minutes on the hour. this would be about 1 tooth to the pass side of straight up 12.
you'll need to remove the distributor from the head and put it out of the way, then get the cam gear bolt loose, remove the distributor drive gear, then pull the cam gear off the cam. move the chain ONE TOOTH (assuming its off) then reinstall