Timing question

[carpoor]

If you don't have a timing light, hold it at 3K RPM and rotate the distributor counter clockwise slowly. When it stumbles, back it off a hair and tighten it down. (do this procedure with the vacuum advance hose off and plugged.)

It's kind of a redneck way of doing things, but it will get you close. If the car starts hard after doing this, back it down a hair. I've done this at the track in a pinch with no tools and had good results. Why 3,000 RPM? More than likely that is pretty damn close to where your total advance comes in.