What engine? What carb? Manual choke?
My 302: Idle RPM, Timing @ 8 to 10 degrees advance (with no vacuum applied to Dizzy).
Use a Vacuum gage attached to intake manifold, adjust air bleeder screws CW until RPM drops, then back off 1/2 turn. Ideally vacuum gage will read 15" to 17" @ idle RPM. Connect vacuum line to Dizzy, timing will advance with a slight increase in RPM. Re-adjust Bleeder screws as before, adjust idle RPM.

Neil Hoppe

 

Good procedure from Franklin... just make sure you have your vacuum advance line plugged when it's off the dizzy

 

Engine is a 302, and the carb is a Holley 4160 Street Aluminium model with electric choke.

I also have the procomp msd-6al + distributor and msg igniter II.

I found this guide online which seems to answer most of my questions, but would also appreciate any advice/tips from other members on the board

Holley Tune, Part 1

 

i actually use two vacuum gauges
1 on the timed port
1 on the bottom full vacuum port
if you turn idle adjustment to much you will get vacuum on the timed port at idle with the 2 gauges you can watch both and adjust as needed getting timing and vacuum where it 's perfect .

 

If you don't mind re-jetting, I would recommend buying some jets. Install smaller primary jets until the engine "surges" while cruising. That is, the engine RPM will vary slightly even though you're not moving the throttle. Then, go up two sizes from there on the jets.

I admit I'm not an expert. But that's what worked for me when dialing in my 351W years ago. That process gave the engine just enough fuel without being too lean and without wasting fuel. It also kept the plugs clean.

For timing, I just kept advancing it until it pinged. Then I backed it off two degrees. Perfect!

 

I was using vacuum gauges with a long hose that reached into the cabin and tuned my carb with a
Rod, jet, and spring kit. When I got my wide band O2, I wasn't that far off using that method.
I was able toset the idle, and watch my vacuum at cruise and watch the vacuum drop as I used the throttle.

 

I use a vacuum gauge, but the mistake I have made in the past was to adjust the timing after I had tuned the carb. When you adjust the timing you need to start over with the carb, by setting the float level first, and then proceed to the idle mixture screws. I have been much more successful since following this order.