I don't understand your comment about needing to time it by ear. If you are using a timing light the signal doesn't care if its being triggered by points or magnet. If you can't time it with a light, try using a vacuum guage instead.
If it seems to run rich all the time I'd wonder if the carbs are synched right. Have you checked that?
I'm not an expert on these things, but thought I'd share my thoughts in hopes they help.
