Slant 6- Idle and Running

I dont think its the gear after thinking about it, it aint gonna 'heal' when its cooled down. I'm guessing the ring on the damper is moving but since you doesnt have a timing tab, your not going to have a reference to where to set it. Id suggest lining up rotor to #1 tower by hand (pull belts) and them taking white paint and marking a line on cover, through damper ring and down to damper hub, assume that is about TDC. That way if the ring is slipping youll see it move from the hub and cover mark. Only way you'll have a good idle is if the timing light is 'lying' by telling you its timed all wrong and wandering around. Dang, I even got a good damper here for ya. Id not concentrate on the timing as it sounds like its pretty close, its the hot no idle that stumps me without a vacuum gauge. if its a vacuum leak, you my be able to cover the carb with a piece of cardboard while its starting to idle like crap and see if it picks up. That would alter the A/F ratio.