Hello from the colonies!
Great post and fantastic description of the problem. So you have the car running well, but are not sure why the settings are off. I have been playing chase with my SU's for well over a year, and we should start with the basics.
First are you positive you have no vacuum leaks? It sounds like you may have a leak with your idle hunting all over the place. Also, if you need to put that much fuel into the system, it may be getting some extra air in there you may not know about.
Second thing I would check since you already ruled out your fuel level, is the needle set at the proper height in the piston.
Third, are you getting the fuel pressure required to the SU's. I think it is around 3.5 to 4.1 psi.
I would highly recommend you take a trip to the auto parts store and buy a combo vacuum/fuel pressure meter (if you do not already have one). It will come in very handy in diagnosing problems in just these areas.
I have to assume you are running a european dizzy, and I thought those were required to run about 17 deg BTDC. You may be able to advance your timing some.
By saying you are running 3 screws Hitachi's I am assuming that to mean round tops, and not flat tops. Great move with Ztherapy by the way. Great product.
Oh another thing, check to see if the fuel line from the bowls to the carb is not bent excessively. Sometimes in shipment they can get kinked or creased.
Keep posting your findings. We will all be very happy to help!