Vacuum Advance Question

I just installed an Edelbrock 1405 (600cfm) and an Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold on an otherwise stock 289.

I got the car in what seems to be a good state of tune. Excellent throttle response, and no flat spots anywhere in the rpm range, and the car flat out pulls (for a stock 289 ) better than ever before.

My question is this, I realized after driving the car that I failed to hook up the vacuum advance on the stock distributor. I hooked it up and the car barely runs, sputters, and then will quit. Remove the vacuum advance and performance is restored.

What are everyone's thoughts?

I'll try setting the timing. I have a timing light with a tach and was looking at the balancer with the timing light, but couldn't find any recognizable marks anywhere on it. I know there should be marks on it somewhere. I'll have to wire brush it and see if that helps.

Double post.