1985 Honda Accord vacum or timing problem?

Very rough idle after choke is kicked off. Replaced fuel filter, plugs, all old ones were carbon fouled. Engine runs at high idle, too fast when first started 2500-3000 rpm can kick off and idle at 1500, kick off again and will struggle badly but continue to run, barely. No apparent leaks around carb base plate, using carb spray as detector. When trying to check timing w/gun
manuel says to disconnect vacum at distibutor, have two lines at distrib. Advance and retard, plug lines and reconnect? How do you plug a vac line and reconnect?I have been using small bolts to plug line. So the vac advance at distrib. Are open. If this happens supposedly the advance or retard will actvate giving inaccurate timing. So again how to plug then reconnect lines? Also engine is idling so far below 750 rpm which is normal idle at operating temp, how can I get a good reading? And to top it off I cant see the timing marks on cam pulley cause I cant see the cam pulley from top engine. Is marks even on cam pulley? I tried adjusting distrib. With engine in park and idleing, just too see if anything changed and nothing changed. I wonder if this means that I dont have timing peoblem? OK, So Next is vacum leak! Miles of vacum hose on this thing. So how do I go about diag. A vacum leak? After I determine If it is or isnt a timing problem? All started when idle started racing to 3000 at start but then would warm and idle normal, some time ago. Problem has progressed to this. Help! Sorry? Is so long just trying to give all info for best answer. Help!