weak springs will allow the weights to open thus advancing timing that is how it;s supposed to work what is your idle rpm ? as a test to see when the weights start to open you can lower the idle as far as you can go if the timing retarts the weights are opening at idle the springs are to weak
you are never right get used to it today it was my fault she didn;t run the dishwasher because i washed the dishes this morning funny how their mind works but she always gets over it and makes me happy
i did mine 25 years ago you would want to drill holes in the trunk floor and plug weld them then grind and dress up the welds. use weld through primer on the bare metal
i have had luck with my street demon you got to take off the throttle plate and clean the junk out the factory left in there it has metering rods for primary seondary's you got to take the carb apart to change the jets a bit of a pain plastic fuel bowl helps keep fuel a little cooler and...
when i was 18 torquing a head bolt one broke i thought no big deal take of the head vice grip it out that worked like a charm didn;t know enough to get a new head gasket
all very good suggestions check for vacuum leaks and see if the choke opened all the way when warmed up that controls the high idle when cold which is adjustable i wouldn;t have thought of dist weights but check it out maybe a spring rusted and broke