Found the right tool to pull the prop hub thanks to one of our club members. It took quite a bit of pulling to get the hub off. I'll know tomorrow if the timing upgrade makes a difference.
The directions for the CH Hub state that no timing tools are necessary. Just to replace the pick-up sensor in the same position.
The instruction manual does not mention the spark plug gap. The NGK-CM6 factory plugs are gapped at 0.016". Possibly a slightly wider gap may help ignite the lower cylinders?????