Where to set timing

No. Stock base timing settings are 0 to 5; varies with year. Don't start past 10 since you need to learn more about this, or you may have issues. It seems like you need to read up on the 2 advance mechanisms: vacuum and mechanical, and understand how they work. The total advance is with base + mechanical and only occurs at higher RPM's. Total timing advance is not what you set at idle; that is so-called base timing, which it is what you appear to be doing.

The base timing setting is set with the vacuum line from carb to distributor pulled off at the distributor end and plugged.