mileage. the harder i try the worse it gets...

You don't want those adjustable timing lights, they just dont seem to read correctly.

You need some timing tape and use it as a guild to mark 35 degrees and use that mark. White paint works good, draw a straight line on the damper. The tape won't stay on, so just stuff it in your tool box.

Then rev the engine up and watch the mark you made. Keep gunning the engine to be sure the advance is all in. Like I said, gun shooting ear muffs are great for your eardrums

Set it at the 35 degree mark and if it pings back it off a tad. Better to have a bit less timing, then a bit too much.

Yeah these old cars can be hard to get good mileage. They drink fuel like its water