need timing advice IT7 12a
 

This car is still new to me and I just finished swapping in a newer 12a since mine was shot and could barely get it started the compression was so bad. However now I have to time the thing and per the rules I can't use my vaccum advance. This is what I've done so far with some additional questions:

How do I find the best timing? What I've done so far is I found idle is best at almost full adv (adjustment nut to right and dist turned clockwise almost as much as possible.) However when I revved it with no load on the engine it got rougher as rpms increased and so I advanced it full and they got better till about 5k rpm.So I removed the dist and fount "tdc" again and this time put the dimple one tooth over from in line so I would have more adjustment. Idle was best when dist was turned as far counter clockwise as possible. Then I revved it and started turning dist clockwise to adv timing. About 25% of thr adjustment and the rpms raised without me moving throttle anymore. I'm assuming that is close to where it needs to be.The idle isn't smooth now but it still runs and doesn't miss too much but since ill be spending most of the time at 6k+ rpms I figure this is the best way to do it.*How can I dial this tuning in more? Am I on the right track? Do I have to have a load on the engine to really get an accurate timing adjustment or will revving and listening be the same? I was thinking hold the engine at 6500rpm and find the smoothest spot and leave it there....

Any help would be appriciated thanks

Bump.... I think with my dist having to be a full tooyh off I need to know how to time it in relation. So I doubt my original timing marks on the crank pulley would work....or would they? Could really use some advice so I don't blow up this motor in one weekend.

what is wrong with putting the engine on timing mark, putting the distributor in the factory way and setting the timing with a timing light?

I'm not sure is its because the dist is off my 12a or what but the engine needs more more adjustment to run right. That much I can tell. When I put it one tooth over from stock, it runs even better. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I feel like I did everything right.

Stock would be great if my dist wasn't locked. Without the vacuum advance I can't just set and go. I have to set it where it will be best at around 6500 rpm. Thats where I spend most of my time at the track.