Stuutering T25 - timing?

[md2004]

Long before we got our X-reg 2.0L T25, someone had replaced the carb with a Weber twin choke. The new carb had no vacuum feed and the ignion distributor expects one. It has previously run reasonably despite that, and until we can afford to instal a centrifugal-only distributor we have to try and make the best of it.

Our mechanic (who is about 35 miles away and difficult for us to get to) put it thru it's moT and tuned it, etc.

It now runs fine under acceleration (VERY fine actually), it starts and idles well, but when we are cruising with a static throttle setting, we get all kinds of pops and bangs thru the carb. I imagine if I retarded the timing a teeny bit we'd get back to the previous compromise setting with a little less vroom under throttle, but a smooth cruise.

So 3 questions:
1 Which way do I trun the distributor to retard the timing? Clockwise or anti?
2 Am I even right in thinking this might help?
3 Can anyone reccomend a centrifugal-only distributor?

Oh, it's actually 4 questions
4 Would we be better off re-fitting an original carb setup with a vacuum feed?

Thanks for any advice you can give.
I can't currently do any major fitting or other work to it as I am only a few weeks post spine surgery, and can't bend over inside the engine bay!! But I'm sure I ought to be able to alter the dist position OK

Thanks again

Martin and Chris

[toomanytoys]

The webber needs setting up on a rolling road to run right.. jetting is usually very poor..
Its poss to fit a vac port to the carb body, by someone familier with them..

Part throttle popping would indicate an air leak or poor jet size.. ignition ought to be set a little more advanced as the vac wont be advancing under light load and when coming off idle...

Do you have a Haynes manual? you dont really want to be "adjusting" stuff when you have no referance material... you also need to determine where the timing is at present..