i don't believe my engine is providing as much power as it should due to incorect timing. i just installed a new distibuter, accel, and it does a whole lot better than before but not like it should. at first i was using the incorrect vacuum line for the vacume advance on the dist, then i found the corect one, with very little vacuum at idle. i then test drove it with the timing at about 7 degrees, it had hardly any power. then i test drove it again with timing set at about 11 degrees, it was weak and sputtering some till about 1500 rpms then it would take off. do i need to advance the timing more or what? i can't seem to get it to run as good as it should

If your elc ran well before the distributor change and does not now, it prompts the question did you install the new distributor correctly?? You might try again.

i just installed a new distibuter, accel, and it does a whole lot better than before but not like it should.
that means it runs better than before with the old distributor. i'll figure it out, i end up figuring stuff out before someone responds with ehlpful info anyways

You might want to check it's total timing. Initial timing only applies to idle and it's unlikely that your new distributor has the same curve and centrifugal as the stock one did. If the new distributor has a shorter curve than the old one, the same amount of initial will result in less total. You can check total with an adjustable timing light or with a standard light if you mark the balancer. It's important to rev the engine high enough for all the centrifugal to be in (around 5k for many stock distributors, usually lower for aftermarket ones).