Hesitation and slight popping during acceleration? Why?

[MLMike25]

I spoke to my dad (lifelong mechanice by profession) and the first thing he said is to check the timing. I think the timing is set at 10 degrees, not 100% sure about that though.

I haven't checked the voltage and I'm not sure about the vacumn leaks. How would I check that. The car usually starts right up, but a few times I've noticed that it did not (thought it might be my starter).

Go easy on me, I'm a newbee and I don't live in the same state as my Dad so his over-the-phone help only goes so far so I'm sorta learning on my own. Thanks.