"Manifold VS Ported"- - - -no debate at all unless someone is totally ignorant of how the system was designed, or chooses to willfully ignore facts.
Tim- - - -the simplest way to tinker with timing is to first establish a true TDC reference by using a "positive stop" setup to restrict the piston travel just before it reaches the top of the stroke in both directions and measure exactly halfway between those two points. Then use a delay flash timing light to set various amounts of centrifugal advance followed by a road test and known load like a measured uphill pull where the engine can be run fill throttle for half a mile or so and timed with a stopwatch. There will be a "shortest time" run that will indicate maximum torque. That should translate to the optimum timing setting. Just be sure other factors like ambient temperature, humidity, the phase of the moon, and the driver's jockey shorts size don't change. Tinkering with timing, fuel mixture, and valve timing is at least as much alchemy as it is science! Good luck!
Jerry
