Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

I changed the points and gaped them to .020 , new coil and condenser. I didn"t mess with the timing left it as it was  I didn't  have any cause to think it was bad.  Plus I didn't have the required dial ind indicator (ie. .090 BTDC) . It hasen"t been started in a long time. Cleaned the carb very well, looked pretty clean to start with. Starts ok misses once an while , seems to be hunting a bit. whent up and down on the high speed needle valve it responds to that .  I figure a little glow is ok , but the muffler bolts backing out? I would think if the timing was off so far as to cause the muffler to glow that it just wouldn"t start. The only other thing I"ve run into to cause overheating is a lean condition, and I cleaned that carb pretty well. Is there a shade tree method to timing? Any advise? Thanks