Way back when, I never used a timing light on light on my car. I would set the timing by ear.
Leave the vac. hooked up, turn your dist. until it just starts to put a load on it.
Sounds as if you are way to far advanced. I you go to far retarding the timing you will know it when you try to restart when hot. It will drag.



I am no expert so I set the timing by getting the engine to a steady 3000rpm with the vac advance disconnected then moving the dist until I got what i thought was the highest rpm by ear.