All very excellent points to check.
I agree with chevy1 that there is some leakage at the vacuum brake booster. (should be the same idle speed with it connected to the booster or with your finger plugging the end of the hose.
As per 4onthefloor, setting point dwell(point gap) is a must before setting the timing, hoever, I do not think the mini HEI has points :p grin

There is enough good in the worst of us and enough bad in the best of us that it does not behoove any of us to criticize the rest of us.
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Be yourself. If you are ever lost, It will be much easier to find yourself if you know who you are!