429 timing - vacuum gauge vs timing light?

My 69' thunderbird does not run correctly per stock specs - 6 BTDC.

With all the things that oil companies, previous owners, and i have changed in 40 years ...

Unleaded gas
d3ve-a2a heads
Pertronix II ignition
Pertronix Coil
Taylor 10mm 50 ohm wires
Holley 770 carb

...it does not run well at stock specs

someone said that dampers/balancers may have moved so the timing markings could be off...
and to use max manifold vacuum (with distributor vac unplugged) to set the timing versus timing light.

when i increased timing/vacuum to 'green' setting on vacuum gauge it appeared to run much better - but the initial timing was around "32 btdc" - well above max - maybe this is truly "10-14 btdc"?

Before i detonate a perfectly good motor - can someone please tell me if i received good or bad intel before i leave it set to "32 btdc" and 'green' manifold vacuum - thanks for your help

Yes, not knowing what is going on while adjusting the timing, you can detonate a perfectly good motor.

You do seem to have an initial timing issue, that needs to be solved by adjusting the timing, but be carefull and don't rush things.

True, the dampners could have shifted. The rubber wears out and can move the timing marker by a few degrees. If it is really bad, you will feel a vibration in the motor.

But 6 d BTDC for initial is a stock setting is for a different gas that you can't get now. But giving the engione more timing at idle, throws off the 3000 RPM full timing, by the same amount. So, going up to 15 degrees BTDC can run better at idle, but also puts you close to detonation at the top end. So the distributor's inside needs to be adjusted to give you less total advance.

It can be done, and probably should be done. How many miles on the motor? Timing chain has been changed lately?