The ball is correct.
If it runs fine one time, and not the next, I don't see how the timing would be an issue unless the dizzy is slipping out of adjustment??
Possibly the mech advance is sticky or the vac advance isn't working correctly, but the initial timing wouldn't change if the dizzy is clamped down in the block securely. The only other thing that comes to mind is if the camshaft has slid back out of the timing gear. This would throw off the initial timing...
Just what exactly does "runs like crap" mean to you? Are you running dual carbs and no manifold heat? Does it run fine after it warms up?
