I think I need to fiddle with the timing on my stock 283. I get a bit of rattle sound when I get on it just before shifting into second. Too much advance on the timing? Another clue is sometimes when it is hot and I have stopped for gas, when I turn the key the engine will turn a bit, basically go dead stop, then fire up. Too much advance in general?
I'm going to unplug the vac advance - do you plug the vac going to the distributor or the carb? Also, set the advance to 36 at 2500 revs (don't have a tach so will have to guess revs, I'll get a timing tape and glue it on as Rick_L suggests), then check what the advance is at idle for reference, with the vac plugged back in. No distributor genius here, I assure you, so any help appreciated.