Help Choose new Plugs for worked 360

Ok guys great info here, Thanks. So I decided to go with a set of Autolite 3923 plugs gapped at .045 which are equivalent to a Champion RC9YC and a couple steps cooler then the RC12YC's I was running. Went with the Autolites because they are cheap ($1.99 each), if the cooler range works out good I'll by a better set like NGK's. I also found 2 wires boots fried from the headers even though they had heat boots on them, they were 8.8 Moroso Race wires. So I swapped them out to a set of 8mm Accels I had from another motor, I'll have to order a new set with some angled boots for cylinders 5 and 7. I also bumped timing to 24 initial and 34 total with vacuum disconnected, then reconnected to ported.
Took it for a cruise and it made a big difference, I'm sure my 2 burnt wires were the cause of my rougher than usual running. But even compared to before, smoother running, more responsive, and seems to have more torque and power. So I'm gonna bump it up a little more to 26/36 and go from there, then check my plugs to see how there looking.

Now for the ported vs manifold vacuum debate. If you hook to manifold wont that instantly boost you initial timing way up? Always thought ported was the way to run them.

Butch