63 Dodge Dart, now let me see;)

You have the distributor on the correct port if it has no vacuum at idle. That is correct. It should only get vacuum with the throttle open. I'd pull in maybe 8-10 degrees initial timing though with the vacuum hose disconnected and plugged, then reattach it to the distributor. 4 is a little low, especially with a better than stock camshaft.