LD4B installation on a 75 318

You definitely need more initial timing then 0.

Try 10-14 degrees BTDC for your base timing instead of 0 like you have it now. Start at 14 and take it for a good ride to see if it pings or detonates with the vacuum advance disconnected. Try a hot start to see if it cranks hard. If it does any of those things try 12 degrees and try again. 44 isn't high with the vacuum advance hooked up. One you get the timing set for 32-34 degrees of initial and mechanical advance hook up the vacuum advance and test drive it.

I run 19 degrees initial timing, 15 degrees of mechanical advance which takes until at 3,000rpm to fully come in and 20 degrees of vacuum advance hooked up to a ported vacuum source without any issues. This give me the best power and economy that I've found for my engine. That is 54 total degrees and I probably have more compression then you do.