timing

Was pulling my carb for a rebuild and wanted to ask you all for an explanation on what purpose this vacuum serves mounted underneath the distributor with a line going over to the front of the carb. Not sure what it is or what it does.

Hey guys: Just to be plain about it; I bought a fully complete older rebuilt '61 wagon that wouldn't start (odd for a 6-226?), and am now into $1500 with a mechanic just to get her home! It starts and runs with lots of choke but still very low power (not enough to make it home, which includes a...