hard engine starting

I hope those cam numbers are at .050" lift! Things of notice:
- a lot of timing at start up
- 12:1 scr (but the actual cam numbers need to be known)

When you say you crank it over 3-4 times: in the first few tries, does the motor spin quickly or is it wanting to stop dead or kick back on the starter?

10.6 is not bad for cranking voltage but what is actually at the starter is key. OP, is this measured with your meter leads across the battery + and -, or measured across the starter terminal and starter case?