Motor issue

Timing was the first thing that came to mind. You have to find someone with a timing light who knows how to use it. He would be an old guy like me. The leads of the light are attached to the spark plug of the #1 cylinder and the battery. Aiming the strobe light at the marks on the flywheel (and there's a stationary pointer) with motor idling and vacuum advance disconnected and plugged off, you loosen and rotate the distributor a few degrees each way until you have a spark advance of about 6-10 degrees. As a temporary remedy you can rotate the distributor a little without a timing light to see if it helps. I would say go clockwise first. Also, if this engine has breaker points set them to 0.020 inches first as this will affect the timing. Adjusting points first might be the only thing you need to do. Replace condenser next, check the distributor cap then check plugs wires for cracks. Sounds difficult but it is really easy.