[meditlondon.com]

I have a 1995 Ford Windstar 3.8 L (manufacture date 06/95) and purchased a camshaft sensor synchronizer tool (SPX OTC # 6467 for 95 windstar 3.8L (no other years listed)) to reinstall the CMP as the engine was rotated during the process of changing head gaskets.
The instructions with the tool say to set up at 26 degrees ATDC.
Haynes says to use TDC
Auto Repair Reference Centre (ARRC) says to use TDC
Mitchell-on-demand (according to my mechanic) says TDC
I found another source (something online but I can’t remember where) that said to use 26 degrees ATDC.

So I set it up with TDC. The engine runs (8 weeks now) but doesn’t seem to have the same pickup that it used to, appears to consume more gas and the engine now runs at the very top end of normal temperature, often, where as it used to sit at the bottom of normal. I do not have a CEL
Should I set it up at 26 degrees ATDC and see how it runs? (Though I've been warned of engine damage if it is set wrong)
Surely if I set it up at the wrong setting initially (TDC) and it was out 26 degrees it wouldn’t have run, would have at least run poorly and I would have a CEL