An attempt to pay back for all the help.

I think trailbeast got in there with some input as well.

Just make sure the car will start when hot with 22* initial. If it drags the starter real hard or kicks back, you need to dial back the timing a bit. You could use the old distributor to test it out. If you know that it had 22*, then run with it there as it's plenty of initial and anything more may not be of great return. The vacuum method works well to find what the engine wants, that's for sure.

The hillbilly timing tape deal works great. I never buy timing tapes anymore.

One thing that I found interesting regarding initial timing suggestions and where to run it. Even MSD says run as much initial advance as you can now.

Sounds like you have a good plan, verify TDC mark on the balancer to your cover and make it happen.

Any time on the help. Hope you got the transmission deal figured out.

Good luck with it.