Triumph Repair: 1976 tr6 timing problem, time car, tr6

Question
Put on new carbs and manifold, cleaned carbon from egr valve and tubing, egr valve not working. Can't time car now,and it uses fuel (about 12-15 miles /gal)
Won't run or start at 4 degrees after TDC,as specified in manual, runs great at 14 degrees before TDC. At TDC, #1 piston at top.Vacuum Retard causing me problems so I plugged it off. Could it be the distributor? Baffled!!

Answer
Hi Fred,
Set the timing 10 deg BTDC static and reconnect the vacuum retard unit and check timing at 800 to 850 RPM to see that it is at 4 deg after TDC. Timing should not be altered unless you highly modify the engine. If you slightly open the throttle starting there will be little to no vacuum and it will be at about 10 deg advance.
If you have to alter timing to make any engine run good, there is something else wrong so you need to start testing. Compression first. Then carburetors next.
Howard