[dsraven]

for the poor running
does it smell like over fuelling or under fuelling (oxides of nitrogen make your nose burn), check the usual carb stuff, loose mounting bolts, plugged float bowl vent, etc. check all the tune up stuff, which includes vac lines, and also check the distributor centrifugal advance to ensure it works and is not stuck or seized. if you can get it running in the darkyou can check for a bad plug wire by seeing if there are sparks anywhere frma plug wire. sometimes the wires will arc to their neighboring wire if it is an easier pathway to ground.

check, on running engine:
vacuum at idle
base timing and timing variance when revved up-should change-disconnect vacuum advance and check if timing changes
adjust valves and check all rocker studs to ensure they are all at the same height-indicates if a stud is pulling out of the head. check all valve springs to ensure there is no broken ones, check the pushrods for straight, check for any valves that seem to be taller than others-indicates a valve issue=possibly a burnt exh valve.

check,on cold engine
compression dry
compression wet
cyl leak down test
plugs
plug wires
distributor cap and rotor, also the spring loaded rubbing block in the centre of the cap
coil (for discoloration(overheated) and ground strap
turn engine backward 1/2 a turn, mark rotor position and crank position, then turn the engine the normal direction while watching the rotor. stopas soon as the rotor starts to turn. now check how far the engine turned before the rotor turned. that will give an indication of the slack in the timing chain and gears
pcv valve and vac hose,include the fresh air supply hose and filter
fuel,for freshness and contamination/water etc.
fuel filter- cut old one apart to check for what is inside it for dirt
any rubber fuel hoses and steel lines for cracks, kinks or flat spots from road debris
ground strap from battery to engine
plug in for power to the distributor

if all good start up and adjust carb, timing etc like you would if doing a tune up