[speedar]

At the risk of telling you how to suck eggs I would check...

The balancer Bring #1 to 0*(TDC) and by rocking +/-10* with a screwdriver carefully down the spark plug hole confirm the piston topping corresponds to the 0*. If not has your balancer slipped or is your timing pointer out.

As the crank rotates twice for every turn of the cam, your distributor could be 180* out. Coming up to 0* your #1 rockers/valves should both be in the closed position without movement. At this point the distributor rotor (which unlike the crank, moves anticlockwise)should be almost pointing at the distributor cap #1 lead position.

If the motor is running but badly, connect a timing light and set total timing to 36* before TDC. Measure 16* with your wifes best fexible measuring tape (in her sewing drawer) and add it to the 20* on your balancer with a chalk marker so that you know where 36* is. Sewing kits often include a chalk marker for dressmaking. At 2600 RPM check your total timing against this mark and twist the distributor to get it perfect. Your vacuum advance should be disconected while you do this.

Check the firing sequence (anticlockwise remember)

I also got caught out with sparkplugs. I was amazed that 5 were poor and 3 not working at all after a tuning session where the car was running far too rich for a period. It was popping like mad.

lastly... placate the wife.