timing/idle

[1979C20]

I bought the mixture screw tool. I turned them in all the way, left side was about 6 and a half turns out. Right was about 7 turns out. Got it to idle at 4 and a half turns out. Running AMAZING now. And, when I turn the distributor cap counter clockwise, looking at it from above the engine starts to stall. No pinging. And, correct me if I'm wrong, pinging sounds like beans rattling in a can, right?

[1979C20]

And, when I turn it counter clockwise, the rpms go up.

[Grim 82]

when I turn the distributor cap counter clockwise, looking at it from above the engine starts to stall.

And, when I turn it counter clockwise, the rpms go up.

You lost me there.  What is the timing light telling you? Set it to 8-12 BTDC and see how it runs.

[1979C20]

What does 8-12 degrees look like on a stock timing mark, and I know the balancer hasn't slipped.

[Grim 82]

Doesn't your tab have numbers on it? You might need to take some emery cloth to it to read them. I just meant set it a little more advanced than factory spec. Like 8, or 10, or 12 or so.