Symptoms of an Intake Leak?

System has been professionally bled. 16# cap. Initial timing set at 1000rpm with vacuum guage, it actually wants more. Idle and vacuum increase up to 30°
Comp XE285HL cam and Holley 750 vacuum secondary carb. Robertshaw 185° stat with a Flowkooler water pump. Can see plenty of flow when the stat opens and the temp is real close. Bottom hose does NOT collapse at high rpm.

Timing is limited to 34° total with an FBO plate, how could that be too much for this engine at 2400-3000rpm on the highway? Under that rpm it stays about 200-210° on a 100° day.

I will redo the distributor and lower the initial. I have to think the heat is either timing or lean related.

I don't have money to throw at it for a couple weeks. I will probably reseal the intake and get an A/F guage and o2 sensor when I do so I can see what is really what. Might try a new fan clutch or go to electric fans and a 4 core if all else fails...

I was hoping someone else had this same issue to save me some trial and error.