71 C10 is now out of storage: and the bad news is

[57T210]

Hey Folks.

Yesterday, retarded the timing to about 6 degrees advance from 16 or thereabouts. While the 350 has a mild cam in it, just ran too 'tight' for my taste. Also backed off on the idle set screw to bring the idle down to about 900 or thereabouts. Ran well in the shop when it was already warm.

Getting ready for Md inspection so the 1/2" holes the P.O. had drilled through the exhaust pipes (before the mufflers) had to be repaired. Sounded cool but Md Inspection would never have passed me. So closed those Babies up this morning.

Backfired through the carb (a Holley, probably 600 or 650) a couple of times when I tried to start it this morning but it finally started running smooth - in the shop. Took it out on the road and it ran like crap.

Probably need to advance the timing some more but I couldn't help but 'feel' that the increased back pressure through the exhaust had something to do with it. Mufflers are new but tiny little guys (maybe 18 or 20 inches) up over the axle.

You Folks have any thoughts on this?

Thanks.