Misfires - Timing. How to adjust? (archive)

So i put my pertronix in today. I've never worked on a points system before but I understand the theory. Ok, so it started up but when I open the throttle it looses power, spits and when i close the throttle it drops, sputtering with the occasional backfire (one of which popped open the seam on one of my (cheap) mufflers - sigh).

Yes, I did conveniently ingore the "adjust the timing" step because I don't have a timing light (yet).

So I loosened the distributor bolt and twisted the dist. until i ran smooth, opened the throtle and adjusted some more until i got it where i though it was ok.

during my test drive, when i accelerated, i have loss of power, hesitations and misfires.

is it possible that despite setting the timing by feel, it is in fact not set right and this is why i am having these problems? or, should i look elsewhere?

thanks for your help
brett

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