[Radman]

Theres a lot of misinformation here about the ign swap. (1)... you need a full 12 volts going to the distributor. not the wire that was orignally used for the points.(2.)... you need to recurve your distributor. either buy a msd recurve kit or moroso. You want the curve to come in asap. (3)... your initial timing will be between 12-14 degrees... as much as your stock starter can handle.. if it is hard to roll over back it off a degree or 2. (4).... Your TOTAL timing has to be between 34-36 degrees..At about 2800-3000 rpm. This is with no vacumn advance.

This will give you a performance curve. Your engine will be very responsive. If you don't know how to do the curve take the distributor to a performance shop with a distributor machine or to a speed shop and get them to install the weights and springs. This is assuming that you are using a hei that is in great shape. If it is worn out(bushings) or excesive end play then some times it is cheaper to buy a mallory or msd distributor complete..

Your vacumn advance must be hooked up to a ported fitting on carb. This means no vacumn at that port when the vehicle is running at idle. As engine revs up and there is constant rpm (1500-2000 rpm) there should be vacumn.
Then check the curve. have someone check timing while some one revs the engine check it every 500rpm up to 3500 rpm that will tell you your curve.Check it with NO vacumn advance hooked up.
The old way was inital timing at 4-8 degrees and vacumn at idle. My way will give you better low end torque. If you experience a little pinging just back of inital timing a degree or 2.