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.

[marks914]

Its runnimg better.
I changed to lighter step up springs and the a/f mixture at idle is better, it was running overly rich with the low vacuum. That helped, Also the manifold vacuum with 6 deg of vac advance at idle also hepled. Just about there, I will hook up a timing light sunday to check where I am at. I will probably get some ligher mechanical advance springs as well, right now my mech. advance kicks in at 1500 RPMS.
Withthe cam I am running, the lope is just going to be the nature of the beast, with 110 deg lobe seperation, that is just the way it is, I just want to try to keep my decklid from vibrating at idle.

as for driveability, its really nice. Not too much torque down low, the power comes on once the revs come up, it actually drives like a porsche now! I think ehat even though i am running some serious HP, withthe flat power curve, the tranny should stay alive.

As to the starter, on SBCs, if you advance the ignition timing too much the starter will have a difficult time turning the engine over. I am running the big IMI gear reduction starter.

Mark