LA360 initial timing too high - are there different timing covers?

Good deal.... thanks very much for the update and congrats on the good result. Yeah... low compression ratio and a big cam can be problematic; it'll work if wound out but be doggy at low RPM's...

With that cam installed 2 degrees behind straight up, the cranking compression comes out to around 115 psi (based on certain assumptions), so things are making sense. And the initial timing is looking normal. I would not hesitate to advance it some if you have the time to limit the total mechanical advance. But, with the low-ish DCR (still in the mid 6's), I would not be surprised if you could approach 40 degrees total or even a bit more and not have any detonation issues.

Good luck on sorting out the rest of the car!