Jetting and timing question

Mattax said

The idle rpm is probably too high. Everyone says 'idle' but its almost meaningless without knowing the RPM.
Depending on the damper and pointer, only having 15* marked is common. Some engines less.
If the damper is a stock mopar diameter, buy a timing tape or two and stick it on.

As far as the large jets, with a Carter design the jet is the wide open throttle enriched condition. The jet + rod combination is the restriction on the main system. So together they effect AFR when cruising at 50, 60 or 65 mph or more. Exactly when they take over from the low speed system you'll find by systematic testing.

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I understand how to tune the carb in relation to the jets, metering rods, springs, etc. The reason why I installed those larger jets was the car actually runs a lot better. But, it’s pretty rich based on the gauge I installed much later. To no surprise, it’s a gas hog too. 9-12 mpg However, the gas mileage didn’t change more than a couple miles per gallon when it had the original 95/98 jets. Since installing the gauge. I’ve found the secondary jets are way too rich. Which makes sense, because all carb manufacturers ship carbs jetted too rich for liability concerns. I dropped to 95 primaries and 89 secondaries. It’s running good there and gauge is confirming the projected ratios that anyone would want. I always set my idle at 1000 rpm according to my tach. Maybe that’s a problem. I only set it at 1000 because the idle sounds better to me and 8-900 seems a bit too low. Even though I do understand that’s where all engines are suggested to idle. I just think that’s too low.