I finally took some time and timed my newly rebuilt 2.4. I initially had set the idle timing to 10 degrees and noticed it would flatten out around 5,000 RPM so I knew I had some more tuning to do.
So today, a month later, I took some vacuum readings and actually used the $100 dial back timing light I got for Christmas.
My results, 17 hgs of ported vacuum at 2,500, off the front carb's vacuum advance hose. Good I think.
Set the static/idle to 17 degrees at 800 RPM then ran the dial back function up to 34, it's digital, and set the RPM to 2,500 and shot the pulley. Dead on 0, TDC mark on the pulley.
Went for a drive, ran great. A brand new Corvette was out too. I pull up alongside him and we exchange thumbs up, he looks ahead I drop down to 3rd gear and floor it. You know how autos hesitate for a second while they spin up? I pulled ahead of him for that one second then he shot by me like an RPG. He slowed down to get beside me, gave me a salute and a smile as did I for him. Wonderful morning!