can you post a pic of the carb and inside of the dist without the aircleaner or dist cap?

Looks like ognition box on the fenderwell behind the brake ---you will need to disconnect and plug the vacume line running to the distributor and set the timing around 12 to 14 degrees---check the vacume line to see if you have a lot or next to no vacume at idle---with it hooked back up the timing should advance as you rev the engine---since it is a 1971 engine it is hi compression and you will need premium gas and be wary of spark nock on accelleration