I can work on the timing curve in the distributor to help keep the detonation away, and run it a little fat....but I'll likely install the cam straight up. Retarding it moves the power a little higher, and I'll be lugging this thing around pulling a trailer or hauling a load.
I hate the noise those things make, but they really do work as advertised.
Gonna be a couple of days. I built the bottom end of a small block chevy today for my grandson's buddy Blake. He had short block he bought for 100.00 that had new rings, bearings, cam bearings, etc. It had been sitting for years, and needed torn down, and cleaned up proper. It also had dished pistons, and he had a set of flat tops in fair condition. So we did some parts swapping and stuff...
David Mann was one of my heroes. My bedroom was decorated with Easyrider centerfolds by him when I was a kid.