Is that 1980 rpm? Is that where it idles?
I wish we would have discussed what an actual “good” idle is.
Good doesn’t always mean smooth.
Just cranking timing in at idle until the engine idles smooth is a fools errand. You will go down the wrong hole every time.
I know it’s subjective but if you can get the engine to idle consistently UNDER curb idle that’s ALL the initial you need.
Bet your *** the book readers will come in and call bullshit but rise above their ignorance and don’t jam a bunch of timing in it to get some fantasy idle.
I have said and I still say a performance engine with even reasonable .904 lobes the idle speed should be no lower than 900 rpm. In gear if you use a converter. I like 950-1000 just to keep oil on the cam lobes at idle.
That’s not to say what I tune won’t idle lower than that, because they will. It’s hard on parts with low idle speeds.
The cams you can buy today have lobes faster than anything just a couple of decades ago.
At any rate, a smooth idle isn’t the best idle.
If that timing light is correct and the damper hasn’t moved GET IT BACK TO 20-22 initial NOW. And tune it from there.
You’ll kill it like that.