Slant 6 4bbl Carb Selection

SpriceyStuff said

Follow up question: is there a baseline tune that I can start with? Something like “bottom out the screw then turn it back so many turns out” kind of thing that will get it running without having to fuss with it? I’m not planning on putting anything on the engine until I can take it all apart and rebuild it and put it all back together with hot rod stuff, including the cam. Since I’ll be breaking in my cam I don’t wanna have to sit there and turn it over again and again without it starting and building oil pressure.

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Generally bottom the idle adjustment mixture screws lightly and then back each out 1 1/2 turns.
To set initial timing, rotate the engine in the direction of normal rotation to #1 at say 5° to 8° BTDC, on compression. Install the distributor with the rotor pointing at the #1 plug wire position. With the cap off and the key in the run position and a circuit test light connected to the negative coil terminal, rotate the distributor housing in the direction the rotor turns when running so the light goes out. Then slowly turn the housing back to advance the timing until the light just comes on. Snug the lock bolt down.
Now the idle mixture and timing are close enough the engine should start right up and run well enough to run the cam in. You should be able to adjust the idle speed screw to maintain 2,000RPM.
After the cam is broken in you can set the idle speed down to specs. Idle mixture can be tweeked and the timing set with a timing light. You may then need to go back and adjust the idle mixture screws again.