[Roadsters] ealry 1600 trouble idling and running

[Graeme]

>From what I can tell the points cam is indeed quite retarded if the engine
is at TDC for #1. 
You will need to release the clamp[s] on the distributor housing and rotate
the distributor body ANTI clock wise to ADVANCE the points cam relative to
the rotor position.
Make double sure the crank is at TDC or as your website comment says, ~15deg
BTDC for cyl #1 on compression.
Loosen and rotate the distributor body until the points just open.
You can determine that by having the ignition ON and a 12V test lamp or
Voltmeter across the points.
When the points open, the lamp will light or the Voltmeter will indicate
12V.
That should be close enough to run the engine.
Final adjustment can be done with a timing light on #1 plug lead.
Remember, there are TWO clamps on the distributor housing.
One is a COARSE adjustment [where it attaches to the engine block], the
pther is a FINE adjustment [where the graduated plate is].
Set it up with the coarse adjustment initially, then you can use the
graduated plate and pointer to fine tune the timing.
The plate and pointer will then indicate ADV or RET from this base setting.

" These pictures illustrate the various pieces all at top dead center.  You
can see the timing mark right at the first one (the angle makes it look
wrong); the rotor pointing exactly to the #1 spark plug wire, but the points
are just opening and the "bump" where it pushes the points apart to fire is
in the wrong place.  And I don't know how to adjust that, or how it got so
far off."