Manifold Vacuum Advance what am I not getting?

Certainly, lots of rabbit holes to go down. Maybe what might help me way to figure out what the priority should be based on everything here. I think that would help me a lot. I don’t want to be going from one thing to another aimlessly. I’m already bouncing off the walls trying to get my brakes fixed as well. I’ll be certainly open to any suggestions on how to prioritize this work. Sounds like it might be checking the crank damper timing and then looking at the valves lifters and rockers to try determine the crank is at 0°. Set timing to 24° initial 33° total and then look at the fuel delivery system.
Anyway, that’s what I think I’m hearing