Trouble with my ignition timing

Do you have a timing light with a dial setting? If you do, set the timing according to the number on the dial timing light you want with the top dead center marking on the balancer at zero on the timing marks. Or you can just disconnect the vacuum advance, plug it, set the timing at full mechanical advance of 34 degrees at say 2800 RPM. Leave it there and see how it runs without the vacuum advance.