I checked the timing on my '69 on its about at 1 o'clock position (looking from Drivers seat). It's idleing kinda rough and doesn't really want to rev up. Its got a Mollary High-DoDad ignition (Make any difference?). Don't want to retime it until I get some advice.

 

Well you will need a timing light to start. I assume you have vacuum advance?

 

I have a timing light but there is no vacuum lines going to the Mallory distributor.

 

My mistake-- MSD distributor, not Mallory. No vacuum bellows either.

 

Not knowing the specs on your engine, you will be setting it hit & miss.
I'd start out setting the base timing at 8 degrees before tdc, and take it for a drive.
Listen for any engine pinging sound (marbles in the cylinders). If you're getting that, then your timing is too far advanced for your engine and/or octane gas you're using.
Back off a couple degrees and try again. If you had no pinging at 8 degrees, bump it up to 10 and take for another drive. Keep going up a little at a time till you get pinging, then back the timing off a little.
"Book specs" are a starting point, but not bible. For best performance, you want as much advance as you can get away with.

 

played with the timing and got it back to about 22 degrees btdc. It would not start and run any lower than that.That seems like a lot.

 

Check to make sure you're using the right pointer tab to match the position of the notch on the harmonic dampener.
Some dampeners had the notch clocked in different positions. What you think is TDC might not be.
If yours is an old one, make sure the outer ring didn't spin free of the inner hub.

 

there is a rumor that this engine is a 383 stroker. If it is would the timing be the same as a regular small block?

 

What did you find was your issue? Was it the wrong pointer?

 

I left the timing at 22 degrees. It runs good and idles good.Don't know if it is the right pointer or not.