Toledo 1300 timing

[Martian]

Hi All,
I have made a mistake by trying to correct the lumpy running of my engine by statically setting the timing using a timing light from the distributor LT lead to earth, setting the timing marks according to the book at 9 degrees before TDC. It runs like a bag of spanners falling down the stairs (when it will stay running), so I have just tried using a timing gun on it setting it according to the book again at 9 degrees before top dead centre, and it still will not run correctly. In desperation I have tried turning the distributor almost through its entire range whilst running it and using the timing light to see where it was aligning but I couldn't get it to run smoothly at all.
I have an MOT on Saturday, this is the second time I have come close to an MOT and something has conspired to prevent me getting there!
Can anyone please advise what may be wrong?
The distributor has been converted to an electronic timing set-up so there are no contact breaker points, and it is running on standard unleaded with a Castrol additive.
With many thanks in advance,
Martin

[marko]

The new ignition parts could well be your problem. The cheap ones are nothing but cheap! Occasionally you'll get a good one but the majority of the time they fail due to excessive heat or just being crap. Put some points back in and try again.

[Triumph1300]

You did disconnect the vacuum advance before timing, didn't you?

[Martian]

You did disconnect the vacuum advance before timing, didn't you?

I did yes. I can't get it to run at all now, wondering if the distributor needs a rebuild perhaps??