the timing mark on my balancer is not close to the timing tab.when i retard the distributor it wants to stall before it gets to the tab.how can i time it with a light. i have a new cam and a new msd set up. can it be the springs in my distributor.even with the timing not close to the mark i have it running good. any help out there.

OK John,
without your particulars or knowing what your skill level is.....

When you say the timing mark is off the timing tab....you do mean close to 12 o'clock, not close to 3 o'clock below the tab, right?

I would leave it alone for the moment, lower the idle as far as you can, check all over the place for vacuum leaks. Check intake bolts for snugness, squirt fluid around the intake, base of carb, throttle shafts, etc. Check that all vacuum ports are plugged and that you do not have any cracked rubber hoses.
Make any corrections.
Set the idle mix screws for the fastest idle/best vacuum when using a vacuum gauge.....set teh base idle as low as possible after idle speed adjustments
then

Disconnect and plug the vacuum advance port...recheck the timing....where is it at? The vacuum advance can/will raise the initial timing a bunch....

or could be wrong timing pointer or ballancer that has slipped. if you verify TDC on #1 cyl (search should find the method) the mark should line up. if not, then you know that there is an issue with the pointer or the ballancer. you can just make your own 0 mark at that point. but if the ballancer has slipped and started to rotate, it is time to replace it anyway.

the line on the harmonic balancer is in the 12 oclock position when i put the timing light on it.this is when it is running best. if i retard the timing to bring the line on the harmonic balancer closer to the degree mark it will stall.