318 Idle Questions

OK, so I started messing with the timing today. I found the faint timing marker and brightened it up a bit. I as able to see it at high idle with the vac advance attached coming in around 10-15*B. After disconnecting the vac advance the timing line disappears completely. I've got no idea where it is or what the timing might be.

I started turning the distributor, first clockwise - which seemed to retard the timing - then counter - to try and get the mark into view. I turned the dizzy until the engine started to struggle going each direction, and never saw the mark come back into range.

I don't know what that means.

At higher idle with the vac connected I was able to see the line, but it wasn't totally consistent. Like I said earlier, it woud range between 10-15 jumping around here and there. The timing light, also, would miss occasional flashes (this happened more at idle, but happened occasionally at higher rpm). I take it that means there is some issue with the signal going to plug 1.

I took the distributor cap off to take a look at what is going on in there. Everything looks OK as far as I can tell except the top metal piece on the rotor looks slightly bent. It isn't flat, it hits at a slant. If that is abnormal let me know.

I have an brand new electronic ignition waiting to be installed. Do you think this would help alleviate some of the headache to put that in now? I was telling myself that I would get things dialed in properly the way they are and then put the electronic one in, but perhaps the replacement could be part of a solution.

Thanks again. I anticipate bad news.