68 340 timing

i have a 68 340 that has some type of mopar cam in it. i also have a mallory distributor with mechanical advance. i tried to put the timing to about 6 btdc and it runs crappy.so i put it back to somewhere before 12 btdc as i cant see the mark behind the water pump. it seems the farther i advance it the better it runs at idle.it revs strong but i dont know what its timed at, any ideas on if my cam may have been advanced? and why does the engine act this way when trying to time it?
tks
Author: admin