71 LA 340 timings moved!! how?? looking for help

Thanks for all the input guys... been busy packing as going on a cruise tomorrow for a week... at least I've got a list of things to check now on my return....

Just to note though the vaccum part of the distributor is not set up, its unplugged and pipe is blocked with a bolt.
Also I'm assuming its not stuck as it advances instantly with a bit of a rev, I saw 40... but didn't risk anymore as I just dont know where it should be, I was thinking around 16 -18 degrees????

To be honest I have just figured it was too advance at idle and I was not the builder, that was the last owner importer.. but he has a giant chip on his shoulder and a real bad attitude so no chance of getting anything from him lol!! took 4 months for engine paperwork!!! All he's said to previous questions is "It was perfect when I had it" I'll give him credit he did build the engine and spend alot of money, but its far from perfect but he just blames anything on me lol!!

On a side note I had an electrical issue before where I had no spark at crank, turns out it was sharing supply with electric fuel pump and volts were dipping too much, we unplugged fuel pump and it fired up... so a auto elec guy seperated the two and run a relay on the ignition wire??? HOWEVER I still had electrical issue and I found a loose connection at the stock dash ammeter gauge, tightened that up and all issues gone Inc dim headlights and tail lights at idle.... so my question?? could that relay be causing an issue?? I'm just guessing here lol!!

But I'm sure I've booted it since then without issue, but can not be certain???

Thanks again for the info above.. I'm away as of tomorrow morning (to you guys) so not going silent but stuck on a boat for 7 days lol! I will update upon my return and hopefully the fix!!!