SBC 302 is in, running!, Needs some tuning, any suggestions? Options

[marks914]

Got the 305 out and put the 302 in, runs pretty well.
I am running an edelbrock 600,
Hydraulic roller cam .56 lift 236/236 duration.

I am in the process of tuning it right now. I have HEI vacuum advance hooked up to the timed port on the carb.

The engine has some lope to it, when I advance the distributor to smooth out the idle, it purrs like a kitten and no spark knock. The problem is when I advance the ignition timing this far, it is difficult for the starter to turn over the engine.

Here is what I am going to try, please tell me if this makes sense:
I was going to put the vacuum advance on the manifold vacuum port, thus giving more advance at idle, I do not think this would affect the initial start up advance, making the starter able to turn the motor over when hot.

here are some pics

Thanks

Mark

PS, the car is a bit quicker now, the power comes on at 3000 RPMs, so it is very driveable around town with the power where it needs to be.

[messix]

what heads are you running? iron or aluminum? later model fast burn type? or old iron lumps?

later heads don't need as much timing, same with aluminum.

this is all in total timing.

if i remember right i think the standard vac advance pots take 6-8 psi to pull them all in.

that cam should do that.

don't turn the idle screw at the throttle plate in so much the you get out of the idle circuit and into the main fuel circuit. take the carb of and check, if the throttle plate isn't with in the first slot your in the main circuit.

you should idle around 800- 1100 rpm
use a vacuum gage to adjust the idle mixture screws to the highest point [it a balancing act, a little more here a little less there, small adjustments.]
then recheck timing and adle rpm.

that cam is gonna lope pretty good, yer gonna have to live with it.