Thermoquad tuning on 318
You are supplying contradictory info which is not helping.
Listen, I know you're a smart man, but if you can't then neither can OP.
So then, for the OP;
as to 25*,
this is easy, just tug on the distributor until the Idle speed no longer increases, and that is what she likes.
and as to Idle timing:
Take the carb off. Set the T-slot exposure to square, and the mixture screws to 2.5 turns out, then reinstall the carb. Start it up and back the distributor up until you get the idle speed you want, that doesn't bang into gear.
Now twiddle the mixture screws for best idle quality never mind what the vacuum gauge says.
Next, count the turns out.
If the screws are more than 2.5 turns out then the Transfers are not supplying enough put the screws back to 2.5 and increase the Slot exposure until the idle quality improves, then retard the timing to get the rpm back down. But
If the mixture screws are less than 2.5 turns out, then the transfers are sending too much, so put the screws to 2.5, and close the transfers a hair, then reset the idle speed with timing.
>now comes the test; looking for elimination of the tip-in sag, and reduction of transmission banging into gear.