many times a customer brings in his toy with no clue as to what cam or history of engine. Just wants it to run better. I follow my dads lead here and just set by ear and performance, then go backwards to find what settings are out of normal windows.
Start with a reading of manifold vac. , with near stock cam should be at least 16 inches and closer to 18. disconnect distrib. vac and plug, set timing by ear to best or highest vac reading, set idle screws on carb if possible ( only affects idle anyway and after about 1400 rpm not part of running function anyway. Start at 2 turns for grins. If not adjustable come back and fix after looking at big pic. Check color of spark at any plug wire end for a neon blue color. If yellow or orange you have a fault.
Now that its good and warm shut her off and restart. if bumps against starter you may have too much timing but skip for now and take her for a drive. Keep advancing timing until it pings when loading or lugging in say a 2nd gear leave from light. Now check for pinging on WOT or at higher rpm's , increase timing until pings on low rpm load and then back down 2 degrees at a time until it stops. initial timing on stock motor about 12 degrees with about 20 to 25 more mechanical lead totaling say 34 to 39 . regaurdless of readings make 39 degrees total timing your MAX when numbers are verified correct. When running good go back and look for settings out of normal window and find out why..