Some timing gear sets have the option to offset (retard and advance) the timing which can throw off your timing marks - not saying the PO may have done it, but keep that in mind. I had a hard time getting the sweet spot on mine - it runs better at the point it doesn't start easy (advanced) but it starts easier where it doesn't runs quite as good (retarded). I'm also running mech advance - not vacuum, so it took a fair bit of fiddlin to hit it with spring sizes etc.....
Maybe start from the very basic and see if #1 TDC (on the right stroke) and lining up with rotor #1....if not mark it where it's at now, yank the dizzy and move a tooth over, see what ya got.....